TWO siblings from Dorset will take on the epic London to Paris charity cycle race to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Pippa Lakin, 28, and Peter Cullingham, 27, from Broad-mayne, will take part in the gruelling 220-mile mission in six weeks' time, and are now in intense training ahead of the event.

Marie Curie provided care for their father Mike Cullingham in his final days after he was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in 2009, and Mrs Lakin said the cycle ride was a way of thanking the staff at the charity for their help during that period.

She said: “A lot of people would rather die at home or in a hospice rather than in hospital and with the service that Marie Curie provides, that allows for that to happen.

“They were great with us, really supportive and they went above and beyond not only for my dad to make sure he was comfortable, but for the family.

“They were absolutely fantastic and we wanted to raise the money for them as our way of saying thank you to them.”

The London to Paris route is about 220 miles long and the pair will have to complete 70 miles a day to keep up with the organisers on the route, otherwise they will have to complete the race on their own.

They are now in intense training ahead of the event, with Peter cycling between 20 miles and 50 miles a day, and Pippa cycling 50 miles three days a week.

The pair have raised around £1,500 already but are hoping to exceed £2,000, with all the money raised being donated to the charity.

Mrs Lakin added: “We wanted to do a challenge, but a proper challenge.

“We thought that if you are asking people to sponsor you and make a donation you should something that is really challenging.

I keep going through phases where one minute I’m excited, then nervous then dreading it but at the moment I’m looking forward to it and just want to get it done. The family is really supportive of us and they think it’s great that we are raising money for Marie Curie.

“Our aunty was with Dad when he died so she has been really supportive of us.”