COUNTYWIDE

Four Marines set off from Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim before sunrise Tuesday for a cross-country trek in hopes of raising $100,000 for Children’s Hopes and Dreams--a charity that helps terminally ill children. The foursome, based on the East Coast, will bike 90 miles a day and run another 10 until reaching the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Va., by June 27. They chose Anaheim as their starting point because the route provides a good ride geographically and weather-wise.

“You just see the suffering of kids and their families,” said Mike Monroe, 33. “It really takes its toll. We wanted to do something to make these kids happier, or at least help them leave the world with a smile on their face.”

Children’s Hopes and Dreams has provided trips and toy shopping sprees, among other wishes, to ill children for 15 years. Donations may be sent to Children’s Hopes and Dreams Foundation (indicate The Mission charity event), 280 Route 46, Dover, NJ 07801. Daily trip updates can be found on the Web at https://www.the-mission.org.