Coldplay have supported a Hampshire fundraiser that will help tackle arthritis in children

Staff, patients, family and friends from Southampton Children’s Hospital will take on a 200-mile ride this weekend to raise cash for a device that could stop children spending months in pain.

And now the rock band, fronted by Chris Martin and with former Cantell schoolboy and drummer Will Champion, have thrown their weight behind the Bow Tie Bike Ride – aptly named because the route is the shape of a bow tie.

Sarah Hartfree, paediatric nurse at Southampton Children's Hospital, which is organising the event

Southampton’s Olympic silver medal-winning diver Peter Waterfield is also on board and will be taking part in the two-day event which aims to raise £22,000 for an ultrasound device that is crucial to the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

A post on the Coldplay’s Facebook page said: “Those of you near the south coast, please support the Bow Tie Bike Ride which takes place on Sat 13 and Sun 14 of September.

“It’s raising money for a new portable ultrasound device for the Southampton Paediatric Rheumatology Fund.”

JIA affects one in 1,000 children across the UK and results in inflamed and painful joints. Sufferers need to be monitored closely throughout their care to ensure they remain in remission of the disease as much as possible.

Sarah Hartfree, a paediatric nurse at the hospital, said: “Children shouldn’t have to wait for weeks for an ultrasound scan. This portable scanner will save the family time and worry, allowing diagnosis potentially more quickly.”

Coldplay drummer Will Champion is a former Cantell schoolboy

On Saturday the cyclists will set off from Southampton towards Lymington and Christchurch before returning via Fordingbridge. On Sunday they will travel through Winchester and Portsmouth before returning to the hospital.

To sponsor the team visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/BowTieBikeRide