A TEAM of employees embarked on a coast-to-coast challenge from the west to the east of England in aid of Forget Me Not Children's Hospice.

The group of 13 cyclists from Bury-based Holchem took to the saddle for a 135-mile route, climbing more than 2,900 metres over the northern Pennines.

The team set off from Whitehaven on Friday, May 18, heading along the edge of the Lake District, towards Hadrian's Wall, before ending their challenge at Sunderland Pier.

Team member Sue Critchley said: "We knew this was going to be a challenge but we were set on achieving it.

"We’ve set ourselves a target of £3,000 to support the opening of Forget Me Not’s new children’s hospice in Radcliffe, and our colleagues and customers have been very generous.

"The Holchem team love to support local causes and we are delighted to be able to raise funds for such a wonderful organisation."

Forget Me Not needs to raise £500,000 before it can open the doors to its new children’s hospice, Grace’s Place, in Dumers Lane, to provide overnight and in-house support for children and families.

The charity has already begun provided a hospice at home service and hopes to open fully in October this year.

Forget Me Not senior fundraiser Helen Latham said: "We really do rely on the support of the local business community, so it’s brilliant to have such amazing support from the team at Holchem.

"We would like to say a great big thank you to all who took part."

Donate to Holchem’s fundraising campaign at https://uk.gofundme.com/holchem-take-on-the-coast-2-coast.