A TEAM of employees have vowed to complete the Coast to Coast in around 14 hours in aid of Freddie Thompson, who was diagnosed with cancer last year.

Eight employees from Grove House Interiors, based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, will cycle the 140-mile challenge from Whitehaven, Cumbria to Tynemouth in order to raise money for Freddie on Saturday, April 27.

Freddie Thompson, 3, of Ampleforth, North Yorkshire was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma cancer in September 2018.

The cancer, which affects about 100 children each year, has meant Freddie has had to endure several chemotherapy sessions, a ten-hour operation to remove his tumour, radiotherapy and a blood transfusion.

Since diagnosis Freddie's family and friends have created the Freddie's Fight campaign group in efforts to raise around £250,000 for a potentially life-saving vaccine.

The Northern Echo:

YOUNG BOY: Freddie, 3, has suffered cancer

Mark Horner, managing director of Grove House Interiors, said: "We found out about Freddie’s situation just around Christmas time so we decided that we would have a go at doing the Coast to Coast.

"We’d always thought about doing it, but obviously this was the chance to raise some money – we thought we’d have a go."

Employees from the firm, which designs and creates kitchens, interiors and furniture, are expected to set off from Cumbria at 6am on Saturday.

Noel Clough, Aran Hunter, Mat Wight, Mark Dowson, Pete Wilkin, Mile Scatchard, Mark Caldecott and Mr Horner will then cycle in tandem back to the North-East.

Mr Horner, who has run the firm with partnering director Mark Dowson for 15-years, said it was the first time the company had 'done anything like this.'

He said: "It was my fathers’ firm, the company has been running for over 40-years.

"This is the first time we’ve done anything like this. We're doing it to give him a fighting chance – usually people do it in three or four days but we are aiming to do the Coast to Coast in one day."

Around £2,600 has been raised by Grove House Interiors through sponsors and donors.

Mr Horner added: "People just keep chipping away, before you know it – it will only be £30,000 he needs."

So far £175,000 has already been raised for Freddie through fundraising across the North-East and North Yorkshire.

Mr Horner said his firm had aimed to raise a total of £3,000.

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/grove-freddies-fight.