A ONE-MILLION foot cycling challenge will help to raise money for Cumbria flood victims.

Egremont’s Irvine Block and other members of ‘Honister 92’, a West Cumbrian- based cycling club, aim to complete the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest over 34 times from sea level.

Irvine said: “Fifty riders have committed themselves to climb a minimum of 20,000 feet each during the month of January that will be tackled on the local hills and roads of West Cumbria.”

And other members will be chipping in with their rides to help boost the final figure.

All riders will add up their cumulative climbing, using Garmin Satellite technology, and the final totals will be announced at the end of January.

Irvine said: “As a club we regularly ride through the towns and villages of our beautiful Lake District. To see the devastation from the horrific flooding of late has struck a chord with us all and we feel duty-bound to try and do our bit to help.

“Fifty riders have committed themselves to climb a minimum of 20,000 feet each during the month of January that will be tackled on the local hills and roads of West Cumbria.

“If successful, the club will have cumulatively topped over one million feet. All riders have pledged £20 each to the cause, enabling an instant donation to the Cumbria Flood Appeal, but we hope to double this if possible!”

The club has set up a Just Giving page (Honister 92, Million in a Month) which can be accessed through its Facebook page and a donation will be made to the Cumbria Flood Appeal.