TWO PENARTH men are set to cycle more than 200 miles around the Brecon Beacons in aid of charity.

Josh Allen, 19, and Gareth Mattey, 21, will take on the mountainous challenge in aid of children’s cancer charity LATCH.

They hope to raise more than £500 by completing the ride, which begins on June 9 and which they estimate will take up to three weeks to finish.

Josh, who has previously worked as a bike mechanic at Halfords, said he is ‘passionate about cycling’ and looking forward to the ride.

"We are looking at doing it over a few weeks, and are going to try and fundraise along the way," he said.

"We go cycling all the time and have covered the Taff Trail a few times, but never anything this long."

And they have chosen to raise money for LATCH, the Welsh children’s cancer charity based at the Children’s Hospital for Wales.

"My mum said it would be a good charity to raise money for, as it helped save my younger brother’s life when he was born," said Josh, of Andrew Road.

"He’s 16 now and wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for the work of those nurses when he was born."

During the ride both men will be carrying bags containing up to 22kg of camping equipment.

"We are going to be camping, pitching in different places," said Gareth.

"We don’t know how long it’s going to take us, but it could be up to three weeks. We are going to have breaks so we don’t get exhausted."

Former Stanwell pupil Josh added: "We are going to have a teddy bear with us, and will take pictures of him all over the Beacons.

"After the cycle we will donate him to charity."

The challenge has now been dubbed ‘Patch for Latch’, after Patch the bear.

To sponsor Josh and Gareth on their 206-mile ride, visit www.justgiving.com/patchforlatch or http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/patch_for_latch You can also follow their progress by joining the Facebook group ‘Patch for Latch Fundraising – Brecon Beacons June 2012’.