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Joe Beswick and Dan Wheeldon are raising money for the Bone Cancer Research Trust in memory of school friend Kyle Jones - who died of the disease aged just 19 in 2011.

Teaching assistant Joe described how the 19-year-old - known among friends for his teen beard and ‘beer-drinking skills’ - suffered with rare Ewing’s Sarcoma from a young age.

He was first diagnosed with the painful illness aged five – however following a long period of remission the aggressive cancer returned when he was 17.

Joe told how Kyle often kept the seriousness of his prognosis hidden from friends - however in 2011 he and Dan received a text informing them their friend had passed away.

Amateur cyclist Joe said: “At the time we were quite naive as to how bad it was - we could see he was deteriorating but he was quite good at hiding just how bad it was from us.

“Kyle was one of the lads - he was famous for growing a beard before anyone else and was good at drinking beer.

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Kyle Jones, right, with Dan Wheeldon, second right at Leeds Festival

“He was into music and computers and he always seemed older than the rest of us - he was just one of those people everyone liked.”

Joe, 27, told how the idea for the fundraiser came about one afternoon in the pub while discussing selling his pink, 90s-era tandem mountain bike with pal Dan.

He said: “It’s an all right bike but quite heavy and I’d not used it for five years - then we came up with the idea of doing a charity ride for Kyle.

“We’re both fairly fit but neither of us have done anything like this before - the bike’s ]all right once you get going but getting up the hills on it is quite hard work.”

On Boxing Day the pair will don wigs, makeup and their ‘sexy Santa’ suits - taking to the Peak District at about 8am and hoping to complete the ride within 12 hours.

Click HERE to donate.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

Chapel-en-le-Frith friends take on mammoth tandem ride as ‘sexy Santas’ for lost pal

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.