Staff at a gym hopped on their bikes to help to raise money for a Hornchurch boy battling a rare form of cancer.

Ten workers at the Chafford Sports Complex in Lambs Lane South, Rainham took part in the 24 hour bikeathon from 5pm on Sunday February 19 to Monday February 20 at 5pm in aid of Mithcell Huth, 6 who has neuroblastoma.

Manager at the centre, Dave Cobain said: “It was lots of fun but we were really looking forward to finishing because it was so tiring and we were just exhausted by the end.”

The event saw the staff working throughout the night and taking it in turns to do hour slots on the bike raising �400.

Last week the team also did a swimathon in aid of Mitchell, which raised �1,000.

The money raised from both events is set to go to Mitchell.

His family and friends are trying to raise �150,000 so that he can receive life saving treatment abroad after he suffered a relapse.

Dave said: “He is a local boy and I remember that he used to use the sports centre with his parents, so we just wanted to show our support to the family.”