Two Manchester university students are preparing for the ultimate fundraising challenge by cycling from Manchester to the Arctic Circle.

The 2,500 mile, starting Tuesday 15th June, will see friends Richard Wilson, 21, and Thom Partridge, 22, travel through France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark and Sweden, finishing in Trømso in Norway.

Richard, a business studies student and Thom who is studying criminology have chosen to raise money for The Christie as part of the two month adventure.

Thom said; "It's really we're travelling through Norway that the battle begins, what with having to trek over mountains and fjords. We're hoping to arrive in Trømso by mid August."

Money that Thom and Richard raise will go to The Christie's new £35 million patient treatment centre which will open ahead of schedule, before Christmas 2010. The centre will house the largest early clinical trials unit in the world, an expanded, world-class chemotherapy unit and a new private patients' facility to increase income for its NHS services.

Richard added; "We've been doing a lot of training over the past few months but I don't think anything can prepare us for the actual thing!

"But we're determined to do this and make everyone who has been supporting us proud. Any donations, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated. So please help us support this worthy cause by visiting www.justgiving.co.uk/thom-partridge"

Sporting events officer at the Christie charity, Marco Giannini, said; "This really is the ultimate cycling challenge and an experience that Thom and Richard will no doubt remember forever.

"When our new centre opens, our experts will be able to double the number of clinical trial treatments they can offer patients, giving more people than ever before the best possible chance of survival.

"I'm thrilled that Thom and Richard have chosen to raise money towards this worthwhile cause."

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