TWO rugby-mad Kensington schoolboys embarked on a 2,000 mile cycle trek across Europe for charity on Saturday.

William Price, aged 14, and friend Fabrice Lavenir, 16, who both attend the French Lycee in South Kensington, set off on their journey following a ‘Bon Voyage’ party attended by one of the world’s finest ever rugby players.

French legend Serge Betson, whose rugby charity the boys will be raising money for, saw them off at the party at the Acton training ground of London Wasps, who both the lads play for.

Proud mum Sally Price said: “Two years ago William, who was 12 years old at the time, did a cycle ride with a great family friend from France, Robert Guyot, who was at the time 65 years old.

“They cycled from London to the centre of France and covered nearly 700 miles in two weeks, carrying their own tents and equipment and cycling unaccompanied, camping all the way.

“This year, William will be joined by school friend and fellow Wasp player Fabrice Lavenir, and both boys will fly to Budapest to meet Robert to cycle back to London, and then down to France.

“When they meet with Robert, he will already have cycled from the centre of France all the way to Constanta in Romania, and then back to Budapest to collect the boys.

“From there, all three will complete their trip and will once again cycle unaccompanied and carrying all their own luggage and camping equipment. In total, the boys will cycle around 2,000 miles, and Robert a total of around 5,000 miles.

“Robert left France at the beginning of June and is currently crossing Austria, while William and Fabrice flew out to Budapest on Sunday to meet him and continue the journey.”

A website at www.enroutemousquetaires.com will be updated with a daily blog and photos, and has information about how to donate. As well as the Serge Betson Academy, the trio will be raising money for the French Red Cross.