Two cyclists hoping to raise thousands for a children's hospital department set off from the Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital (NNUH).

Norwich Evening News: The father and his friend will cycle over 1,000 miles in 5 days. Photo: NNUHThe father and his friend will cycle over 1,000 miles in 5 days. Photo: NNUH (Image: Archant)

Chris Hamlin's two year-old son James was treated in the Jenny Lind Children's Department at the NNUH.

Now he, and friend Mark Colman, are set to cycle over 1,000 miles to raise cash for the department to buy the equipment they need to treat other patients.

Their 5 Capitals challenge will take them from Norwich, to London, and then onto Paris, Luxembourg City, Brussels, and Amsterdam, before returning home.

The mileage works out at around 140 per day, and while the two men are keen cyclists, this is the biggest challenge they have taken on.

Norwich Evening News: The two men are hoping to raise over £5k for the Jenny Lind Children's Department. Photo: NNUHThe two men are hoping to raise over £5k for the Jenny Lind Children's Department. Photo: NNUH (Image: Archant)

Chris' JustGiving page at 2pm on June 23 read: 'We've made reasonable time having left the Jenny Lind at 6.30[am]... 90 miles down, 50 to go'. You can track their progress and donate at www.justgiving.com/auwheels