A MOTHER whose son was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer is cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats on a tandem to raise funds for charity.

Suzy Cramb, 52, will be joined by her fried Debbie Edge, 50, for the gruelling 874-mile challenge and the pair are pulling out all the stops to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) and the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. Not only will they cycle the whole route together on a tandem but the friends plan to wear tutus, and have organised a host of fundraising events along the way with support from friends and family.

For Mrs Cramb, from Wolsingham, County Durham, the challenge will be especially poignant. She witnessed the valuable work both charities carry out first-hand when her eldest son was diagnosed with osteosarcoma 2.5 years ago at the age on 19. The teenager spent months in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where he underwent aggressive chemotherapy treatment.

Thanks to TCT, Mrs Cramb and her husband, former international rugby player Richard Cramb, were able to stay with their son. The couple have also praised Ward Four, the TCT Unit, which has been specially designed for teenagers, with pool tables, lounge, study, kitchen and family room.

Mrs Cramb, a physiotherapist, said: “When we got the diagnosis it was horrendous. It’s the kind of thing you never expect to happen to you. We are a fit family who are active and cook our own food. We just couldn’t understand how it had happened.

“The TCT youth workers at the RVI were absolutely fantastic. They really knew how to connect with teenagers like my son.”

Mrs Cramb’s son has completed his treatment and is now at university. The family are keen to give something back to TCT, along with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, which organised for the teenager to go on a sailing holiday.

Mrs Edge, from Cheshire, came up with the tandem idea and the pair are now training for the challenge, which begins on June 7. They hope to complete the ride on June 19, and more than 60 friends have pledged to join them for a section of the ride.

The women will be dressed in tutus and are urging motorists to toot their horns if they see them. When safe to do so, they can then text ‘Tutu81’ followed by an amount, such as £2, to 70070.

Donations can also be made at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/tandemlejog

To follow the friends’ progress search for Tandem Lejog on Facebook.