THREE Glasgow pals are planning a 1000-mile cycle to raise money for the hospital that saved one of their lives.

Stuart Macdougall, Bryan Marshall and Andy Russell will set off from Calais in France on June 7 to cycle for 11 days to Barcelona, Spain.

The trio are hoping to raise £10,000 for Yorkhill Children's Foundation, which funds essential research and equipment at Yorkhill Hospital.

Gerry Doyle, 33, will also join the trio on the trip to repair the bikes if there's any problems.

It is a cause that is very close to one of their hearts.

When Stuart, 29, from Muirend, was seven-years-old he was given life-saving treatment at Yorkhill after suffering from liver and kidney failure, and an inability to bend either of his legs.

The two-year-old daughter of his friend Eric Kielty, was also treated in the hospital in December 2010 and January 2011 after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

Little Ellie, from Rutherglen, is now on the road to recovery, but still attends Yorkhill occasionally.

Stuart said: "It is a terrific cause, I have got a self-interest, given what they have done for me, but it is such difficult times just now and charities are struggling and finding the pinch in terms of the underlying economic environment.

"I think it is a very lovely cause and it impacts on so many people, not just in Glasgow but the whole of the west of Scotland."

On the route the team will have to face one of the toughest climbs that features in the Tour de France.

L'Alpe d'Huez is one of the main mountains in the famous cycling race, which was won by Britain's Bradley Wiggins, last year.

It has a 13.8km climb at an average of nearly 8%, with 21 hairpin bends.

Stuart says it is the thought of helping the children's hospital that will keep him going on the hardest stretches.

He said: "Apart from the countryside and the scenery, the charity has got to come first.

"Knowing that we have got all these people back in Glasgow who have made pledges and donations that we have to answer to when we return, failure isn't an option."

Cycling on average 100 miles a day, with the longest stretch between Marseille and Montpellier measuring 103 miles, Stuart, Bryan and Andy are already into serious training.

Both Bryan, who is a cycling enthusiast and successful amateur racer, and Andy, regularly ride.

But Stuart spends more of his time in trainers than with his feet on the pedals.

A keen runner, he is regularly first home at the 5K Park Run time trial in Pollok Park, but, he admits cycling is not his forte.

Stuart, who works as a chartered accountant in Aberdeen, said: "I am a bit apprehensive but hopefully I will be motivated and inspired because of the cause we are raising money for.

"I am not a cyclist by any stretch of the imagination, I am right out of my comfort zone.

"I would probably prefer to run from Calais to Barcelona to be honest."

Fundraising is already well under way, with the team gathering £3000 of donations so far.

But, with the trip only two months away, they have stepped up their efforts and are planning a launch night, coffee mornings, a cyclethon and cake sales.

Stuart said: "It is the trip of a lifetime, it seems a challenge that will raise awareness and a few eyebrows."

To give a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/Cycle-calais2Barcelona

matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk