AN intrepid teacher is gearing up for a charity cycle challenge to raise money for teenage cancer charities as a tribute to some of his pupils.

Brian Janes, maths teacher and assistant principal at Hummersknott Academy, in Darlington, will be cycling 250 miles around Norfolk this weekend to raise money for the teenage cancer unit at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Mr Janes, who hopes to raise £3,000, chose to support the hospital as a number of the school’s pupils who have been diagnosed with cancer received treatment at the hospital, including Kieran Maxwell.

Student Olivia Rowell, 14, who has recently started treatment at the hospital said: “It is a fantastic place that does a superb job.

“It needs as much support as people can possibly give. It really does make a difference to young people undergoing treatment and allows them to be real teenagers.

“I think it’s brilliant that Mr Janes is doing the ride and hope that he makes it to the end.”

He is also supporting the North of England Children's Cancer Research Fund and the Children’s Cancer Fund.

A spokeswoman for the school said: “Often teenagers treated for the illness find it difficult to settle within a hospital environment – too old for a children’s ward yet too young to be treated alongside adult patients.

“The teenage cancer unit at the RVI provides a wonderful environment for the families and the teenager and having seen it first hand on a number of occasions and witnessed how much it means to the families, Mr Janes decided to attempt this ride.”

Students at the school are supporting their teacher’s marathon efforts by taking part in a non-uniform day this Friday (May 2).

To donate visit justgiving.com/Brian-Janes or text GNCH50 and the amount you wish to donate to 70070.