Across Britain in 14 days

Read Hollie & Phil's daily blog as they cycle across Britain

TWO Aston third year students are about to take part in the journey of a lifetime while raising valuable funds for a children's charity. Hollie Grant, a 21 year old psychology student, and Phil Muggeridge, a 21 year old computer science student, will cycle down mainland Britain on a tandem bike next month and will stop overnight at The Courtyard along the way.

Their epic journey will cover over 1,000 miles and they plan to complete it in 14 days, averaging 70-75 miles a day. The intrepid pair will stop for well earned rests in different areas of the country and will stay overnight with friends and in hotels along the way. The Courtyard is delighted that they will be stopping here on 12 April as they will also meet up with Hollie’s parents for a truly relaxing stop. They chose to stay with us as it is makes an ideal stop half way between John O’Groats and Lands End.

Hollie and Phil, who are currently on their placement year, decided that they wanted to put their fitness towards a good cause and thought that a bike ride would be an ideal challenge. But they say they are baffled as to why they decided to do the ride on a tandem as it will no doubt make the journey more difficult!

Fred Williams Cycles in Wolverhampton have offered them a pink and white tandem bike for the ride. Hollie and Phil will start their journey in John O'Groats, Scotland, on 5 April and finish it two weeks later in Lands End.

Hollie and Phil will be raising money for the Rainbow Trust Children's Charity, which helps children who have life threatening or terminal illnesses. The charity has just two respite homes where children and their families can go for support. Hollie and Phil would like to raise £5000 on the ride, which will help fund one of the respite homes for a week.

Gabriella Brooks, who is the Press and PR Manager at the Rainbow Trust, said: 'Everyone here is thrilled that Hollie and Phil have decided to ride this very long distance in support of the charity. It's a huge undertaking and of course, we wish them every success and hope that people will be extremely generous when it comes to sponsoring them.'

At the moment Hollie and Phil have managed to raise a massive £3317 with just a few weeks to go. Friends and family have already got involved with fundraising and events so far have included moustache growing, young enterprise at Hollies placement location, Carwarden House School, and a charity football match.

James Corrall, who is a colleague of Phil's from his placement post at Oracle in Reading has also shaved his head. Another of Phil's colleagues, Andy Morrey, has donated a pound a day to Phil for keeping up the growing of his moustache.

Hollie and Phil would like your help to reach their target. If you would like to make a donation and/or sponsor Hollie and Phil for the ride, visit their “justgiving” page at www.justgiving.com/hp1000. For more information about their chosen charity please visit www.rainbowtrust.org.uk

If you are planning an event for charity and would like to stay at The Courtyard along the way why not contact us and see if we can feature your event on our website..