In a gesture of thanks to Pilgrims Hospice, a group of people from Deal will cycle 80 miles to France and back, this weekend.

Vanessa Short, 43, her father Pete Rose, 64 and her son Jake Short, 22 are taking on the challenge to give back to the charity who have helped them through a family members’ illness.

Mrs Short said: “Pilgrims have been a great support to me and my family. Looking after mum has been a journey for us all and Pilgrims have made our journey more bearable. We are still on our journey with them by our sides.

“The hospice have been with us all the way and what’s why we want to give back as much as we can.”

Vanessa, Pete and Jake will be joined by five others; Neil Boswell, Daphne Dunster, Ros Shawlcross, Eve Beach and Paula Murphy.

Mrs Murphy is raising funds for Cancer Research UK.

The group will leave Deal at 6.45am tomorrow, to cycle to Dover. After a short ferry ride, they will cycle from Calais to Montreuil Sur Mer, where they will stop overnight and return the next day.

Mrs Short said: “I’ve done little cycles for Pilgrims before, one in Barham, but this is a bit more of a challenge.

“We’re looking forward to it and hoping the pennies will roll in.”

To sponsor them visit www.justgiving.com/Vanessa-Short2