SPORTS enthusiast Gavin Phillis will be setting off on a 70 mile cycle challenge on Friday (May 26) stopping off at 16 Craven primary schools.

Gavin, in charge of the schools games programme in Craven for North Yorkshire Sport, will be hoping to raise more than £2,000 for Martin House Hospice.

He is due to set off at 8.30am from Cowling Community Primary School, before heading to Lothersdale, Glusburn, both Sutton primary schools, Kildwick and Cononley. He is due at Greatwood Primary School, Skipton, at 10.15am, where the school has planned a stationary bike with children joining in all day, and then on to Christ Church, Ings Community , Embsay and Burnsall. After a break for lunch, he will head off to Long Preston, Gargrave, Rathmell, Settle, Giggleswick and finally to Bentham, where he plans to be by 4.20pm.

Gavin, from Yeadon, who already this year has taken part in the Leeds Half Marathon and the London Marathon, has been inspired to help a number of charities after he and his family were given amazing support after the tragic loss of his one-day-old daughter Esme in October 2015.

Over his cycling challenge, he and his support team will be meeting up with around 2,300 pupils, many of who will also be carrying out their own cycling themed events.

In addition to Greatwood Primary School's Tour de Greatwood, other schools will be getting in cycling instructors.

A support car will be driving ahead of Gavin, giving early warning of Gavin's arrival, and at each school, he will sign the school guestbook before having his picture taken with the children.

"I am really excited to take part in this fantastic event to help raise some vital funds for a truly amazing charity," said Gavin.

"Martin House Children's Hospice provided my family and I with some essential bereavement support during one of the toughest periods of our lives and for that we will be eternally grateful.

"As expected it's been an extremely emotional couple of years but we have met some amazing people along the way and I am beyond proud that my little girl and her story has brought so many people together to help raise money and awareness for a charity that supports so many."

The route will take in some of the 2014 Tour de France Grand Départ and subsequent Tour de Yorkshire routes and he hopes to raise between £2,000 and £3,000.

To support Gavin, go online at his JustGiving page: justgiving.com/fundraising/G-PHILLIS