Five best friends are taking on a mammoth cycling challenge to help children suffering from cancer.

Calling themselves The No Brainers, Kevin Edwards, Darrell Weller, Tony Martin, Steve Dyball and Rhys Mallett, will ride from Lands’ End to their hometown of Braintree on June 11 in aid of Jacob Jones’ Solving Kids Cancer appeal.

The five-year-old has been battling neuroblastoma cancer since he was two and despite several relapses is still fighting back against the disease.

The No Brainers, who are being joined by support vehicle driver Lee Rogers, have taken on charity rides in the past for charities including Help For Heroes and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Mr Edwards said: “I wouldn’t call us keen cyclists. I am going to have to drop a few stone before the ride. We are recreational cyclists and we get out a couple of times a year.

“The fundraising we have done before for Great Ormond Street and Help for Heroes, although great causes, seemed a bit faceless.

“Although they do amazing work, it is still a big charity that you are raising money for.

“We saw Jacobs appeal on Facebook and asked the family if we could get involved.”

Devising a route themselves, the group’s cycle will take them 564 miles across the hilly terrain of the south west coast, across the country before finishing at The Flitch Way, where members will be joined by their kids in the final stretch.

Mr Edwards said: “I am apprehensive about days one and two in particular. Although they are only 70 miles, it is the climbing that is difficult.

“When planning our strategic route, we realised we would be climbing 17,000 metres, which is as high as Mount Everest’s base camp.”

The men, who are all in their 40s and by their own admission not fitness fanatics, want to raise £5,000 for Solving Kids Cancer all of which will be donated as part of Jacobs Appeal.

The No Brainers have already collected funds by hosting quiz nights, statics rides and golf days, with plenty more in the pipeline in the coming months.

Mr Edwards said: “We are not a million miles away from our target already. Anything between £5,000 and £10,000 would be amazing.

“We appreciate people have supported us before but hope they will do it again.”

Donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thenobrainers.