Three teenagers braved a gruelling 100-mile off-road route to raise money for their local rugby club.

The trio of Zach, Cooper and Jack, aged between 13 and 14, took to their bikes to face the Lake District trek which came with an ascent of over 3,000m.

The boys, who all play under-14 level rugby, were raising money for Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Club, with their efforts still ongoing to replace their 'ageing' floodlights.

Read more: Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Club looks for funds for new lighting | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)

The Westmorland Gazette: The trek was tiring and muddy work for the trioThe trek was tiring and muddy work for the trio (Image: Stu Taylor)

Stu Taylor, who supported the friends during their tricky climb, said: "The boys took the challenge in their stride with a horrendously wet day one and just over 60 miles to the campsite.

"The boys had to take on a big hike on their bikes, the steepest of road climbs and exposure whilst battling the conditions."

At the time of writing, the rugby club's fundraising efforts, backed by the dedication of Zach, Cooper and Jack, have resulted in £7,500 being donated.

However, a target has been set of over £33,000 to replace the current lighting systems.

The Westmorland Gazette: The friends were raising money for their local rugby clubThe friends were raising money for their local rugby club (Image: Stu Taylor)

Stu added: "Day two, the weather was kinder with a glimpse of blue skies - the boys were straight into a killer road climb after breakfast, then with a lot mountain biking trails there was lots of mud and puddles to battle through, so the going was slow in places.

"But again the boys smashed it, as did the dads who could not have been prouder of the lads to finish the first edition of the Winter Jenn ride."

The rugby club thanked the group, describing it as an 'amazingly top effort'.

They are hopeful that the improvements to the club's site, if put in place, will further increase the outreach it can have in the Kirkby Lonsdale community and further afield.

The Westmorland Gazette: The boys were supported by their dads through the harsh conditionsThe boys were supported by their dads through the harsh conditions (Image: Stu Taylor)

The project is being organised by John Ladell and Gareth Gore, who are currently the coaches for the under-14 and under-15 sides respectively.

You can donate to the fundraiser here.