THE Beijing Biddies are hitting the road again for their third and final charity challenge - driving around Britain in two Tuk Tuks to raise money to help the fight against children’s cancers.

The team of four women, led by Eden guesthouse owner Edwina Sorkin, aim to cover 1,100 miles in 16 days in the motorised three-wheeled rickshaws, stopping off to visit cancer centres and hospitals.

Setting off from Carlisle on May 2 they will drive at an average speed of 20mph for up to seven hours a day. They will raise cash for Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The team of Edwina, 71, of Newbiggin-on-Lune, Kate Sleath, 66, of Wetherby, Yorkshire, Helen Stobart, 51, and Liz Tinkler, 50, both of Penrith, will take turns to drive the two Tuk Tuks. The round trip will include stop-offs in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Harrogate, Cambridge, London, Merthyr Tydfil and Manchester.

It comes almost three years after Edwina and Kate drove from the UK to the Chinese capital of Beijing in just 29 days for the two charities. Last year they were joined by Helen and Liz plus Kerrie Ellison, from Kendal, to drive from Carlisle to the Arctic Circle in four days.

So far they have raised almost £80,000 for the charities and are aiming to reach over £100,000 with their latest challenge.

Edwina, who runs luxury guesthouse Cheskin House, said: “This is perhaps our craziest challenge yet. These little Tuk Tuks are great fun but they take skill and a lot of concentration to drive them as we intend to – all day and to a strict timetable.”

For more information visit www.beijingbiddies.co.uk