Two grandads will be hopping into the saddle as they embark on a 180-mile bike ride in aid of a £10m hospice appeal for children with life-threatening conditions.

Terry Hickman Smith, of Forncett End, and John Wilde, of Talconeston, will complete the challenge over four days from April 28.

They will boost funds for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), who are raising £10m for a new purpose-built hospice in Framingham Earl - 'the nook' - to replace their outdated facility in Quidenham.

The feat will see them bike from Quidenham to the EACH centres in Ipswich and Milton, before returning to Quidenham and finishing at Framingham Earl.

Mr Wilde, 64, a member of the Wymondham Lions, said: 'I met Terry at the official launch for the nook appeal in Norwich last year, and suggested we should do something to help.'

Last year, 72-year-old Mr Hickman Smith, a Wymondham Rotarian, biked 180 miles over four days to raise funds for the 11 complex needs schools around the county - after not sitting in the saddle for more than 50 years.

He said that, at the time, he had 'no intention of ever doing another cycle ride' but, after being persuaded by Mr Wilde, the 'brilliant idea' developed quickly.

The pair, who will be joined by others on sections of the ride, said they have both had little time to train.

'It is now only three weeks to go and the longest ride I have managed so far this year is 26 miles,' Mr Hickman Smith said. 'That was a big effort and my backside is somewhat sore.'

Although they don't have a firm target in mind, they hope to top last year's total of £8,500.

For more information on the nook appeal, visit www.each.org.uk/the-nook

If you would like to sponsor the pair, you can:

Send a cheque, payable to Wymondham Lions, with 'nook cycle ride' on the back to John Wilde, 4A Norwich Road, Tacolneston, NR16 1DJ.

Visit the fundraising page here.

Are you taking part in a charity attempt we should be writing about? Contact reporter Lauren Cope on lauren.cope@archant.co.uk