Newport’s Pyranean Raid cycling team, have handed more than £10,000 to local charities this week.
The team of 12 joined forces last September to complete a 450 mile bike ride over the Pyraneas - Europe’s highest mountain range.
And the team successfully completed the circuit - including a number of climbs used in editions of the Tour de France - in less than 100 hours.
Months of cash collecting have followed and this week, the team were ready to present the funds to three local charities - Macmillan Cancer Support, Newport First Responders and the Layla Pitt Remembrance Fund.
Team leader Simon Broad said: “We all met up to present the cheques and it was satisfying for all the team to finally be handing over the cash.
“Our major contribution was to Macmillan Cancer Support and we handed the cheque to local man, Alan Smallman.
“The charity is close to a lot of people’s hearts and we found people were very generous with donations when we told them who we were raising money for.
“The Newport First Responders were also really happy to receive the donation.
“A lot of their vehicles need to be serviced and put through the MOT so it will go a long way to covering those costs. Once again all the cyclists from the challenge would like to thank the sponsors and all the local people who gave generously.”
A total of £5,000 was donated to Macmillan Cancer Relief, with another £2,000 to the Community First Responders along with the £3,000 already handed over to the Layla Pitt Remembrance Fund.
Sponsors for the challenge included Wrekin Circuits Ltd, Newport’s Ultimate Taxis and Henshalls Insurance.
And off the back of the challenge a new Newport cycling group is being formed to continue to raise cash for charity.
Simon added: “We have set up a new group called the Nova Raiders and we had our first meeting this week.
“All the Pyranean Raiders are involved and we all have friends that we are introducing to the group, but we are also inviting other people to join us.
“It will not compete with Newport Cycling Club, this is more for the social side but we are hoping to take part in events each month and plan further events to raise cash for charity.”
For information about the Nova Raiders contact Simon at newportcarpets@btconnect.com.
By Sam Pinnington