SEVEN cyclists from Yate have battled the elements and pedalled their way across the length of the country to help orphans in Albania.

The team, - Kieran Payne, 21, from Yate, Charlie Griffee, 20, from Bristol, Ryan Cook, 20, from Bristol, Sarah Brankin, 24, from Yate, Nigel John, 51, from Yate, Ian Bright, 42, from Yate, and Marc Laird, 44, from Yate – took two weeks to cycle from John O’Groats in Scotland to Land’s End in Cornwall.

The 960-mile journey, between March 24 and April 9, saw them ride in all weathers from snow and sleet to mist and fog but the team has raised nearly double its fundraising target.

Organiser and rider Ian Bright, a member of Christ the Rock Church in Yate which supports a number of projects to help children in Albania, said he was very proud of the team’s achievement.

“The hardest day was up in Lancashire and we had wind blowing in our faces for three days,” he said. “The first few days were the most difficult but we all knuckled down and although there were a few tears at the beginning, we made it.

“I did give sweets to some of the team to encourage them up hills. They stuck at it and it is something we will never forget.”

Ian and his wife Karen and their sons Jacob, 10, and Ethan, 6, spend their two-week summer holiday in Albania every year helping impoverished children.

“We have raised more than £5,000, probably close to £6,000, which will pay for 150 kids to go away for a week, something we do every year,” he said.

“Hopefully it will also pay to take a group of orphans swimming when we go over. They have only ever been in a pool five times and that is every time I have been over.”

He added: “The fact that members of the team took time off work and got behind something I have a passion for, that is where I need to pay the biggest thank you.”

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