A GROUP of cyclists have raised more than £13,000 for the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust, riding more than 300 miles.

A team of nine fundraisers donned their lycra to cycle the 342 miles from London to Paris, tackling route two of the famous cycling challenge.

The challenge began with a nine hour cycle through the Kent countryside, and after 90 miles they ended their first day in Dover where they boarded the ferry to Calais. This was followed by three days of cycling through France.

Team DAFT for CAFT included David Prendergast, a long-term CAFT supporter and managing director of Thermotech in Stockport and his son Aaron, Gary Pemberton who is director of Belvoir in Warrington and Chris Smith, partner with Northwich company Howard Worth.

This was one in a full programme of sporting challenges organised by fundraiser Jure Modic on behalf of the charity.

“This was such an amazing trip, I’ve been totally blown away by the whole experience,” he said. “I feel honoured to have been part of the team who were so inspirational, it was fantastic to see everyone working together and supporting each other through a very tough challenge.

“Of course, the challenge for our team didn’t begin on day one of the cycle, it began months earlier when they signed up for the challenge and began their fundraising and training.

“They’ve all worked so hard to raise in excess of £13,000 for our charity, and we really can’t thank them all enough. This money will help us to change the lives of countless terminally ill, disabled and disadvantaged children from all over our region.”

The charity still has places remaining on the next cycling event which will see cyclists of all abilities covering a distance of 285 miles between CAFT and Brussels. For information about the charity and any of their events visit caft.co.uk or call the fundraising office on 01565 830 053.