A GROUP of cyclists better known locally for their football skills have completed a fundraising Coast to Coast ride.

Members of Richmond Town Football Club swapped their shin pads for Lycra for the ride from June 6 to June 7 in the hope of raising as much as possible for the ever-growing club.

Richard Laviolette, fundraising officer for the club, said: “We have 21 sections of the club now and the costs of running and maintaining them mean we need to keep money coming in.

“There are five senior teams and the rest are juniors and girls – our aim is to get to around £5,000.”

31 riders set off from Richmond with the help of Dowse Removals and Pattison minibus hire to take them to their starting destination of Whitehaven.

Mr Laviolette said: “Without the help of the local companies we couldn’t have done it.

“All riders had to raise at least £200 each so that was quite a challenge in itself, but I was determined that we would raise a really good amount for the club.

“We are trying to get Northern League status and get our own ground, and we are always looking for sponsors – if anyone is interested please get in touch with the club.”

For more information contact richlav@hotmail.com or visit http://www.richmondtownfc.org.