Three friends are hitting the road to raise money for two charities close to their hearts.

Chris Quaife and Ben Button, both 36, of Thwaites Avenue, Ilkley and Andy Rhodes, 24, from Burley in Wharfedale are getting on their bikes to tackle a 50-mile cycle ride along the canal from Leeds to Skipton then from Skipton to Ilkley next month.

The trio have set themselves a target of raising £8,000 which they will split equally between Diabetes UK and The Stroke Association.

Mr Quaife was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was just two years old.

But thanks to the care he has received from the diabetic clinic at Airedale General Hospital, in Steeton , near Keighley , for the past 25 years he has been able to manage the condition and live life to the full, including turning out for Ilkley Cricket Club .

Mr Rhodes, who also played cricket for Ilkley and now plays for Otley , suffered a massive stroke in May this year. He owes his life to the treatment he received at the Acute Stroke Unit at Leeds General Infirmary and is now on the road to a full recovery.

They are being joined on their trek by close friend Mr Button.

“I cannot sing the praises of the diabetic clinic at Airedale Hospital enough,” Mr Quaife said.

“I wanted to give something back to say thank you for all they have done for me, and we thought the bike ride would also give Andy a goal as part of his rehabilitation.

“Diabetes UK does a lot of fantastic work to help and support people with diabetes and carries out important research into the condition, so they were the obvious charity for me to try and raise some cash for.”

Mr Rhodes had similar praise for the staff who looked after him at Leeds General Infirmary.

“The staff were brilliant,” he said. “I was treated with the utmost care and compassion. Nothing was too much trouble for them and I was kept informed of how my recovery was progressing at all times. I shall always be grateful that they were there for me and want to raise as much as I can to support them through The Stroke Association.”

The trio have been training for the big day on October 20 by pedalling around the Ilkley and Wharfe Valley area two or three times a week.

To sponsor the trio, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ChrisQuaife.