FRIENDS of a popular Dorch-ester teenager whose life was cut tragically short are getting on their bikes to raise funds in his name.

Thomas Hardye School pupils Steph Jones and Ben Butterworth will be peddling around 150 miles from London to the county town via Southampton to raise money for The Nathan Cross Memorial Fund.

The fund was set up in memory of Nathan, who died last year at the age of 16, to support local good causes.

Steph and Ben will be joined by Steph’s parents Michelle and Dave as they set out today on their route, that takes them from Great Ormond Street Hospital, to Southampton Hospital and then on to Dorset County Hospital.

All three were places where Nathan was treated when he suffered from a bacterial infection.

They plan to finish the ride on Saturday, May 12, and will then enjoy a special celebration to mark what would have been Nathan’s 18th birthday.

A range of events have so far seen over £7,000 raised in Nathan’s name to support a range of charities and organisations, including the Dorset County Hospital Digital Mamm-ography Appeal, with much of the fundraising events organised by his friends.

Steph said: “This is probably the biggest thing we have done to date.

“We have done a lot of other stuff but nothing quite like this.”

Ben added: “This is the thing we have done that is going to be physically challenging.”

There will be a chance for more of Nathan’s friends from the school to join in the ride as it enters its final stages.

Steph said: “We are having a meeting point at Wareham where people from school can join us on the way back to Dorchester.”

Ben said the team had already raised over £300 in sponsorship but were hoping to collect as much as possible in their much-missed friend’s named.

Dorchester Town Football Club will host the celebration afterwards, which will include live music, a barbecue and a release of 18 lanterns.

The cycling effort has been boosted by support from Bridport-based cycling firm JL Morgan Cycles.

Nathan’s dad Kevin said he wanted to express his ‘heartfelt thanks and gratitude’ to all those who had helped raise money in his son’s names and wished the cyclists the best of luck.

Anyone wishing to support the ride and donate in memory of Nathan can go into Lloyds bank in Dorchester and ask to make a donation to the Nathan Cross Memorial Fund.