NURSERY staff are set to cycle 100 miles in aid of a cause close to their hearts.

A team of nine, including staff at Little Acorns Nursery in Boothstown will be completing the challenge at a static bike at Ellesmere Shopping centre in Walkden next Saturday.

They are doing it in aid of The Fertility Foundation, with money raised going to a crowdfunding campaign set up by parent Barbara McMillan, who is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa in September.

Barbara, a teacher at Boothstown Methodist Primary School, gave birth to her son Frankie in 2016 after enduring five years of infertility issues and having three surgeries.

Frankie, now aged three, goes to the Leigh Road nursery.

She said: "When I was struggling I did not know that there was any help available.

"I think what The Fertility Foundation is doing is great, they can give people hope.

"They can give grants to people who can can afford treatment.

"I think raising the awareness of what they do is important."

Barbara, 35, who lives in Boothstown, will also be doing the challenge and is "so grateful" to the nursery for supporting her challenge.

Residents will be able to enter a raffle, which will be drawn on Sunday and will include prizes of a family ticket of four to go to Geronimo Festival in Cheshire, a family ticket to go to Smithills Open Farm in Bolton and Water Babies swimming equipment.

Barbara is stepping up her training for Kilimanjaro and is preparing to do a 10 peaks challenge in 12 hours at the Peaks District on April 3 and a 24 peaks one in two days in the same area in June.

She added: "Since I started my fundraising I have had lots of people sharing their own stories with me.

"It shows that my message is being reached by so many. It is very rewarding."

To donate to the crowdfunding page click here.

Raffle tickets can be paid for at the centre, from the nursery or via the crowdfunding page.

To follow Barbara's challenges on Facebook click here.