TWO brothers who have worked together at their family-run estate agents for more than 20 years are set to tackle a mammoth bike ride in aid of charity next month.

Avid cyclists Kevin Mixture and Steve Maddison, both employees at Halstead-based property business Scott Maddison, will hit the streets of London alongside 30,000 other pedal-pushers when they take part in the Prudential Ride London.

The annual event will see the siblings embark on a testing 100-mile route, which will set-off from the Olympic Park in Stratford.

The pack of riders will then travel through Epsom in Surrey and take on the excruciating inclines of Leith Hill and Box Hill, before crossing the finish line at the famous Mall in Westminster.

Kevin said: “My brother and I both enjoy cycling and we have taken part in other bike events before, but we have been spending most weekends trying to get as much mileage in our legs as we can.

“This is like the London Marathon of bike rides so it will probably take us about eight hours to complete it.

“Hopefully we will be back before it gets dark!”

To be considered for the event, the brothers had to enter a ballot alongside more than 80,000 other wannabe riders.

When only Steve was offered a place, Kevin had to sign up with a charity to make sure he could also take part.

He decided to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital because of the work it does with children suffering from cancer and the life-limiting illnesses.

Kevin said: “I was desperate to get into this event and although I could have chosen other charities, I opted to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

“I know they help children with cancer, but my heart lies with this charity because we have both lost loved ones to this awful disease and as a result are now trying to help others.

“Both of our parents died from cancer, so there is a connection there.”

To donate to Kevin’s fundraising efforts for Great Ormond Street Hospital, visit Scott Maddison in High Street, Halstead.

The Prudential Ride London will take place on Sunday, August 4 and will be broadcast live by the BBC.