The eight cyclists will cycle the 25 miles from the Woodville pub in Kirriemuir to Montrose's Ash Bar on Monday to help pay for the relocation of Kunta Kinteh Nursery School, which consists of just two rooms and has repeated problems with flooding.

The event is the brainchild of Montrose entrepreneur Jackie Learmonth, who visited the school in January to see the conditions for herself.

So shocked was she by the lack of facilities that she vowed to help raise the £8,000 needed to move the school's 76 pupils to a new, dedicated facility.

Jackie - who also sponsors the education and care of Haddi, a five-year old pupil at the school - said: "We're trying to relocate them to a different building as it's atrocious there. We took pencils out there with us and that's the first time they've had an extra pencil at the school.

"The toilet is just a hole at the back of the building and the roof is leaking. It's not great.

"But the kids are so happy and they're very smart - they can count up to 100 in English no problem. It's a real eye-opener.

"Gambia is a settled country which is trying to better itself with tourism. The women are given contraception and the kids are immunised by the Red Cross.

"I believe that, with a little help, they can better themselves and educating the children will go a long way to helping their cause."

However, there is a need to raise the money as soon as possible as the school risks being destroyed by floods. Its current building sits in a valley and, as the building is structurally unstable, heavy rainfall in
the wet season could simply wash it away.

But the trip won't be an easy one for Jackie who just got back on her bike two weeks ago. She has since cycled round Montrose basin – but she admits it was a struggle.

"This'll be a huge challenge. Because I work so many hours I don't get much of a chance to train – I am looking forward to it though."

In addition to the cycle ride, Jackie is hoping to send a 20ft container directly to the school containing tables, chairs and other items which, in Scottish schools, would be taken for granted.
To sponsor the other cyclists, or to donate goods to be taken to Gambia via the container, you can contact Jackie at her shop Box at 7 Castle Place, Montrose, Ash Bar on Hume Street, Montrose, or the Woodville Inn at Shielhill Road, Kirriemuir.