CYCLISTS have pedalled the equivalent of the distance between London and Paris and back for causes close to their hearts.

Millie Bennett was one of five students from Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School who took on the challenge by young people on a National Citizen Service course.

The course involves a fundraising element, and Millie, 16, was part of a 12-strong team who chose to support the Remembering Nell Foundation and Papyrus with their cycling challenge.

Millie was in the same year at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School as Nell Jones, aged 14, one of 22 people who were killed in the bomb attack in 2017 at the Manchester Arena at the end of an Ariana Grande concert.

The team of 12 who took part in the fundraiser included fellow Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School students Ruby Thirlwell, Sophie Domeney, Samantha Parker and Ellie Seers.

The Remembering Nell Foundation was set up in memory of Nell with the aim of improving the lives and wellbeing of young people by supporting children’s charities in the north west, and Papyrus works to help prevent suicide among young people.

The team of 12 pedalled their way to fundraising success on static bikes at Sandbach Leisure Centre, along with two leaders from NCS.

Each person cycled 41 miles, and the team raised £777, which includes £96 in Gift Aid, which will be divided between the charities.

“Our original target was £300, but we raised it to £400 and then £500 because of the support we were getting, and I am utterly shocked but very happy with the total we raised,” said Millie, who suggested supporting the Remembering Nell Foundation.

“I felt really impacted by the whole event in 2017, and suggested raising money for the foundation as a way of helping to keeping the memory of Nell alive.”

The charity cyclists also chose to support Warrington-based Papyrus because several of the team lost a friend to suicide in 2017, and the organisation worked in the area.

The fundraisers also have a stall at Cranage Beer Festival today, Sunday, ran a coffee morning at Elworth on Friday and have a stall at Sandbach Market on August 29.

If anyone wishes to support the team they can visit justgiving.com/fundraising/team3-rnf-papyrus