EIGHT teenage students have set themselves a gruelling task - in an effort to help one of the tutors at their college.

Maggie Hogg, who teaches sign-language at Northallerton College, is profoundly deaf and the students, all aged 17, plan to cycle across the country to help buy a hearing-dog.

They will set out on their pushbikes from Workington on July 22 and hope to arrive at Roker Pier in Sunderland four or five days later.

Their route will take them 160 miles over rough and high terrain and they will be staying at youth hostels along the way.

Four of the group did the route last year when they raised £600 for Cancer Research. This time they hope to top £1,000 to help buy the hearing-dog for Maggie.

The eight are Sam and Jon Lindsay, Simon Wilson, Mark Hutchinson, Steven Hermon, Andrew Hird, Stuart Charlton and Matt Brudenell. Anyone who would like to help by sponsoring the ride should contact Matt on (01609) 778895.