THE three Bolton businesswomen who are planning a tough 250-mile bike ride across Africa are kicking off their fundraising in the gentlest possible way.

Nicola Caffrey owns a virtual business support company, Michelle Leatham owns Westpine Property Lettings and Management in Horwich and Amy Russell has her own photographic business.

The trio are joining the Women v Cancer trip to Tanzania next year, hoping to raise £20,000 for Breast Cancer Care, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action.

They call themselves Business Birds on Bikes and, because they have cycled little before, have already started training. The trip, in October, 2015, starts at Mount Kilimanjaro and finishes at the Ngorongoro Crater.

Their first fundraising event is on Friday (May 30) when they are holding a Ladies’ Lifestyle Evening at the Lion of Vienna Suite at the Reebok Stadium at 7.30pm.

Far from echoing both the gruelling training the women are starting and the challenging nature of the trip, this event is all about “girlie shopping and fun”, explained Michella Leatham.

“We’ve brought together a great array of stalls selling everything from cosmetics, skincare and handbags to handmade and bespoke jewellery, cards and even nappy cakes.”

There will also be entertainment from vocalist Kimberley Riley-Shipperbottom, a DJ, silent auction and a raffle with prizes including a Cath Kidston bag.

“There will be something for all women there,” added Michelle. “We really wanted to get plenty of female support for our trip, and so thought about all the kind of things we love!”

Tickets for the evening are £10 each, through Facebook at businessbirdsonbikes or by emailing businessbirdsonbikes@gmail.com