Trio saddle up to help African slum children

STUDENTS are planning a gruelling 800-mile cycle ride to raise money for children living in slums in Africa.

Edinburgh students Jude Telford and Ian Stewart will be cycling from their university, St Andrews, to the centre of Paris in 18 days. They will be joined by a German fellow student, Christine Mueller.

The trio were moved after learning about Save The Children's work in Sierra Leone through a website. They watched a film report about children growing up in Kroo Bay – a slum built on a rubbish dump on the banks of the filthy Crocodile River in Freetown.

Jude said: "We watched footage of the local health centre and felt really inspired to help. They can't afford the drugs they need and with one in four children dying before their fifth birthday, Sierra Leone is one of the toughest places in the world for a child to survive."

They are setting off on Monday August 11 and aim to cycle 50 miles a day.

Ian said: "It's a cause close to our hearts and we're confident we'll make it.

"We've already had a huge amount of support from family and friends."