A teenager from Portland is taking on a colossal challenge in memory of a young girl who lost her battle with cancer. 

Rhys Styles, 14, is taking on Wiggle’s Purbeck Hill-a-Saurus cycling challenge along the Jurassic Coast today. 

It will see Rhys, friends and two teachers from Atlantic Academy Portland (AAP) ride a daunting 15 miles, enduring a mix of challenging climbs and swooping descents along the way.

Rhys is raising money for Molly’s Magic Fund, a supporter group for The Brain Tumour Charity (BTC). It was founded for Molly Poole, from Portland, who sadly died at the age of six in September after losing her battle with a rare medulloblastoma brain tumour. 

Rhys' mum Catherine, 44, also suffered with a brain tumour. She won her fight thanks to the help of the charity. 

He said: "I want to do it for Molly but my mum as well, to raise money for BTC. We've been planning it since a year ago.

"I'm feeling excited and pretty confident about it. I'm not nervous."

The course starts and finishes at the Burnbake Campsite near Corfe Castle, taking the team as far as the picturesque Old Harry Rocks. 

Catherine said Rhys’ love for cycling made him to sign up to the challenge.

She said: "Rhys said he always wanted to do this for Molly and he’s already raised hundreds by himself.

"He's a very avid mountain biker. He goes cycling with the mountain bike club from school every Friday, and nine times out of ten he’ll go out with his friends straight after school.

"There's not enough research into brain tumours and preventing them, people aren't aware of the symptoms. 

"If it wasn't for the Brain Tumour Charity and the pioneering surgery I underwent when I had a tumour, I don't think I would be here today. 

"I count myself one of the lucky ones."

AAP Principal John Heap, as well as Mr Dawson who organises the academy’s mountain bike club, will be joining Rhys and his friends for the challenge. They are hoping to raise a grand total of £1000 for the charity. 

Donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rhys-styles.