The Duchess of Cambridge’s brother and sister have begun their 3,000 mile cycling trip across 12 American states. Pippa and James Middleton are embarking on the trek in order to raise money for charity.

Pippa James Middleton CyclingPippa and James Middleton have begun their 3,000 mile bike ride across America

The event, which began in San Diego, California on Saturday is due to take 8 days of solid cycling, before the group end up in Annapolis, Maryland. Along with friend James Matthews, the 8-strong group of cyclists are doing the trip in support of The Michael Matthews Foundation, a foundation set up in support of Matthews’s brother who died tragically making the descent from Mount Everest.

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The charity event, which is called Race Across America, will also raise money for the British Heart Foundation. Pippa is an ambassador of the British Heart Foundation and has set up her own sponsorship page, explaining what the group plan to do: “On 14th June, my brother and I, along with six friends will be setting off on a West to East Coast Race Across America (RAAM). This relay cycling event spans 3000 miles, 12 states and 88 counties. We are aiming to complete this non-stop challenge in eight days, riding between 350 and 500 miles a day.”

Pippa James Middleton CyclingOnce the event is over Pippa will auction her bespoke bike on eBay

Once the charity event is over, Middleton plans to auction her bespoke bike on eBay, the proceeds of which she will give to the charity. She released a statement with the British Heart Foundation, in which she said: “I was shocked to learn that nearly three times more women die from coronary heart disease than breast cancer. I’m passionate about raising awareness amongst women of this killer disease and I look forward to working with the BHF to highlight to women the risks of heart disease and importantly, how they can reduce them.”

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