Teenage fundraiser Will Sexton is taking part in a gruelling bike ride just weeks after knee surgery to raise more than £1,000 for a children’s hospital in Calcutta.

The 15-year-old, of Lacock, is taking part in a cycle ride from Bath to Paris and back with fellow students Ben Skedd, 16, from North Wraxall, James Indoe, 16, James Gale, 16, Ludo McCormick 16, and Rob Dorey 15, all from Bath.

The six friends all study at Prior Park College, in Bath and are raising money for Searight Hospital, as it is their tutor group’s chosen charity for 2009.

He said: “I have just had a minor operation done on my knee at the Royal United Hospital in Bath last Month. It was just corrective surgery for some scar tissue that had been irritating my during exercise since a skiing accident three-years-ago.

“I am really looking forward to this trip, its like one of the expeditions we normally organise together. We did a practise trip to Portsmouth, which is the longest league of the journey at 95 miles.”

Not only has Will had to recover quickly following his surgery but he has also been studying for his GCSEs and is relieved that he took his last one yesterday just weeks after his sister Laura completed a skydive for charity and her A levels.

The six teenagers aim to do the cycle in six days - three there and three back crossing over on the ferry at Portsmouth.

James Indoe, who organised the route said: “We aim to cycle for six days, maybe for up to eight hours a day and averaging over 70 miles a day.

“Also we have made sure we have all the necessary equipment including panniers, helmets, and cycling gear to complete the journey.”

Searight Hospital was set up for children in need of medical attention in Calcutta and was set up by the family of Freddy Searight, who is a current student at the Bath school.