Liam Riley and Steve Ferris are life-long friends whose families have needed the life saving care and facilities provided by Bristol Children's Hospital.

Morocco on a Mission is their way of saying thank you and ensuring that Bristol Children's Hospital continues its incredible work with the best possible facilities for babies and children in the region.

Read on to learn about the challenge and the cause...

MOROCCO ON A MISSION:

This self organised, self funded 72 hour challenge promises to be a brutal test of physical endurance and willpower as Steve and Liam ride, carry and push their bikes and equipment from Marrakesh (elevation 457m) to the peak of MOUNT TOUBKAL, the highest mountain in North Africa and the Arab World at 4167m), covering some 90 kilmeters of desert and high mountain roads and paths... and that's just the first 24 hours!

Thereafter they'll be continuing their journey through the High Atlas Mountains, clocking up several more hundreds of kilometres and an anticipated 6000 metres in vertical ascent over the course of the entire trip, before finishing back in Marrakesh on the evening of Tuesday 10th June.

No mules, no cars and no assistance with carrying any of their equipment. Just 2 friends clocking up some serious distance and elevation in some of the most unforgiving terrain for one amazing cause.

Mount Toubkal is a trekking peak which very few people have attempted to climb with bikes. The terrain is incredibly steep and for much of the summit attempt they will need to carry their bikes on their backs to get them to the top. At the altitudes Liam and Steve will be tackling there will be 30% less oxygen, meaning that their already Herculean effort will be that much tougher. As if that wasn't enough, daytime temperatures can be as high as 40C and night time as low as -10C at altitude.

The boys will spend their first night at Toubkal refuge mountain hut and night 2 will be spent bivouacking under the stars of the High Atlas Mountains.

WALLACE AND GROMIT'S GRAND APPEAL

Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal is the official charity of Bristol Children's Hospital, dedicated to helping sick children and supporting their families across the South West and South Wales. Since 1995, the charity has raised over £50 million to fund life-saving medical equipment, family accommodation, and innovative therapies.

Their support includes providing three family accommodation houses, investing in pioneering medical research, and funding state-of-the-art equipment. They also offer music, play, and art therapy programs to help young patients cope with treatment and work to create a comforting hospital environment through art enhancements.

Your support will help ensure that every sick child and baby in the region has access to the very best care, 365 days a year.

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