A Times Series reporter is setting off on an epic 270-mile charity cycle ride tomorrow.

Rebecca Lowe, 27, is using her pedal power to raise money for the Educational Frontier Trust (EFT), an organisation that supports the Kisima Pastoralists' Centre, a charity for children from northern Kenya.

The area is hampered by drought, attacks from bandits, ethnic clashes, and a lack of infrastructure and basic public services, and it is the aim of the Christian charity to help local children overcome these problems.

The long-term aim of the charity is to help farmers and herders establish a sustainable community, with better education and training to allow them to be less dependent on charity aid.

Miss Lowe said: “The last time I got on my bike, I rode half a mile, the chain came off and I crashed headfirst into a wheelie bin on the kerb. So this is going to be a real challenge for me and it would be great if people could give me their support.

“The charity is a very worthy one, and just a few pounds could make a big difference.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the cause can visit www.justgiving.co.uk/rebeccalowe81.

The Times Series will be following the progress of the bike ride. For more information on the charity's work, visit www.kisima.org

Thanks go to Steve Howlett of Cyclelife for his kind donation of the Raleigh Airlite 200 to help Rebecca get through the trip. His store can be contacted on 020 8346 5784.