Team XIII cyclists have handed a huge boost to the Friends of Chernobyl’s Children.

Sixty-five hardy riders braved the cold, wet and windy conditions to tackle a 45-mile round-trip to raise funds.

After setting off from the Sunny Hill pub in Whitehaven, cyclists headed to The Wheatsheaf at Embleton for a pit stop and food before returning to the Sunny Hill for a meal.

Delighted organiser Paul Morgan, of Team XIII, paid tribute to his fellow cyclists and everyone who had donated, as they raised £900. This has now been matched by Shepley Engineers Ltd for a grand total of £1,800.

Friends of Chernobyl’s Children works to relieve the suffering of children from the resounding after-effects of the 1986 nuclear disaster.

It funds yearly visits to the UK for children from the most desperate circumstances in the contaminated area of Belarus.

For a month each year they receive recuperative healthcare, English lessons and, most importantly, lots of loving tender care from their UK host families.

And the amount raised by the local cyclists will pay for two children to come over and visit the area.