They’re undertaking the 200-mile coast-to-coast epic journey across the Highlands for the Sick Kids Hospital in Edinburgh.

St Boswells vet George Caldow, who came up with the idea, explained: “Several of us had children in the Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital and were totally humbled by the care and support we got at what were difficult times in our lives. We dearly want to give something back that will help support other families that find themselves in the same position as ourselves.”

Fellow adventurer, Kelso vet Michael Kyle, said: “It will be a good challenge. We’re all interested in mountain biking, it’s a good long-distance endurance event and we thought if we are going to do it we should do it for a worthy cause.”

The group of eight and their support team of two will leave Fort William on May 29, aiming for Montrose five days later.

Part of the route goes through the Great Glen but the challenge – at 2,550ft – will be the Corrieyairack Pass.

Mr Kyle said: “I’m looking forward to the feeling of accomplishment having pushed yourself hard like that – and to getting to Montrose! We wanted the challenge to be hard enough that we feel we have achieved something at the end of it.”

The rest of the fund-raising team are friends – Kelso vet Colin Lyons, Dryden Farm’s Mark Arres, Earlston High School teacher John Clarke, farmer Dan Logan, vet Colin McGillivray, electrical engineer Dave Purves and, helping with logistics, sound engineer Dave Angus and entrepreneur Sandy Craig.

Mr Kyle said: “We’ve said we want to raise £10,000, but I think if we raise £5,000 we’ll be doing very well.”

Mr Kyle has run half-marathons for charity before and four of the team took part in some of the Merida mountain bike rides at Selkirk last year.

Several of the team mountain bike together – they cycled from Carfraemill to Watchwater Reservoir in Berwickshire last weekend. They also hill walk and play football together, “defying age and good taste” says Mr Caldow.

Mr Kyle said: “Mountain biking is a great way of seeing the countryside and it’s quicker than walking.”

Which for some makes it the ideal way to get over the giant Corrieyairack Pass.

Anyone wanting to donate see www.just giving.com/mountainbikechallenge