TWO sisters from St Agnes are taking on a tough cycle challenge in the tropical island of Cuba to raise cash to improve the health of women and babies.

Liz Fossey and Helen Connolly, who both work at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, will cycle 370kms across the South American island to raise funds for an appeal to train women scientists and clinicians.

Liz, 41, is a staff nurse in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit, and Helen, 44, is a clerical officer.

Next March they will undertake the gruelling challenge with 100 other women from around the country, and one man - infertility expert Professor Robert Winston, the founder of the appeal.

Between them the two sisters hope to raise £5,000, which will help to fund research into prevention and treatment of a range of devastating conditions that cause miscarriage, infertility and cancer.

Helen said: "It was on a wet and windy afternoon and Liz and I decided we had to do something with our lives.

"I saw this challenge advertised in a magazine and I thought, that's what we should do."

On Sunday, from 4pm, Liz and Helen will hold a charity auction at the St Agnes Hotel to raise money towards their sponsorship target.

Items will include an England rugby shirt signed by the 2001/2002 team, an adult mountain bike, a child's mountain bike, a signed limited edition print of Rossi -the World Superbike Champion, limited edition scooters, mini-bikes, theatre tickets, restaurant tickets, wine, fleeces and surfwear.

The appeal, dubbed "Women for Women," is backed by the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Trust.