TWO DETERMINED IT specialists are to cycle the extra mile for sick children —quite literally.

Steve Brocklehurst and Stuart Ferguson were not content with tackling the standard 870 miles between Land’s End and John O’Groats to raise money for the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland.

Instead, the Dundee City Council employees have added 230 miles to the gruelling route, to cover 1100 miles in just 10 days.

Steve (43), of Arbroath, said the route was extended because they wanted to take in some places of interest.

Rather than heading north from Land’s End, Steve and Stuart (27), of Carnoustie, will first go to Lizard, the UK mainland’s most southerly point at the start of the trip on June 24.

Similarly, when they approach the end of their route on July 3, they will visit the UK mainland’s most northerly point, Dunnet Head, before they finish at John O’Groats.

Steve and Stuart, a former Arbroath FC player who has played for all four Angus senior clubs, said the idea for their cycle began with casual talk at work providing IT support at schools across Dundee.

“It started as one of these ‘wouldn’t it be great’ things,” said Steve.

“The more people who found out about our ‘great idea’ meant it was harder to back out, so now the time has come and we are going for it.”

Steve and Stuart will hire a van to drive from Angus to Penzance on June 23.

Their first day is 112 miles. The shortest stretch during 10 days on the route will be day six, the 85 miles from Ambleside to Carlisle and the longest day 10, from Bonard Bridge to John O’Groats, via Dunnet Head.

Steve said, “Obviously, it would only be worthwhile doing this for charity, so the charity we have chosen is Children’s Hospice Association Scotland.

“All the money we raise will go to CHAS. All other costs such as van hire, petrol and lodgings, food and drink, will be paid for by us.”

The duo have set up a website to accept donations at www.justgiving.com/ lejogIT