STAFF at Go Ape Peebles in Glentress Forest are going bananas to support Teenage Cancer Trust.

Go Ape is the UK’s leading forest adventure and staff from the 28 sites across the country have devised the ‘Big Banana Relay’ to raise much-needed funds for the charity.

The relay will see the ‘Big Banana’ travelling a total of 1,823 miles across the UK with the Go Ape gorillas using the quirkiest forms of travel possible.

The relay got underway at Leeds Castle and the ‘Big Banana’ made its way to Go Ape Peebles. Dressed as gorillas, the Go Ape Peebles tribe took the ‘Big Banana’ on an epic wheelbarrow and cycling adventure to reach its next destination on the relay route of Go Ape Matfen in Northumberland. The Go Ape Peebles team of Iain Ronaldson, Louise Bain, Douglas Voas and Iain Schofield set off on September 3 transporting the ‘Big Banana’ by wheelbarrow to the top of Glentress Forest.

The expedition continued with a mountain bike ride via the world Enduro track in Glentress, before the team cycled the 84-mile journey to Go Ape Matfen the following day with the banana in tow for the ride.

Rebecca Mayhew, co-founder and director of Go Ape, said: “We are proud to support Teenage Cancer Trust and that our Go Ape team have launched this fantastic fundraising campaign the Big Banana Relay to raise money and have fun while the ‘Big Banana’ travels 1,823 miles around our Go Ape locations in the UK.” Kate Collins, director of fundraising for Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “Go Ape are putting the fun back into fundraising and events like the Big Banana Relay will support our work in improving the quality of life and chances of survival for young people with cancer aged 13 to 24.” Teenage Cancer Trust has been selected by Go Ape staff as its main charity for 2014. Go Ape hopes to raise funds to help build more Teenage Cancer Trust units in NHS hospitals, maintain existing ones, fund specialist nursing and youth support staff and support the free cancer awareness sessions that are delivered in schools, colleges and universities across the UK.

Donations to the ‘Big Banana Relay’ to support Teenage Cancer Trust can be made at http://www.justgiving.com/GoApe