A TEAM of amateur cyclists have raised over £5,000 in memory of a five-week old baby who died from a heart condition.

Baby Kartor inspired 12 members of staff from Rockliffe Hall in Hurworth, near Darlington, to tackle Yorkshire’s toughest terrains, including parts of the Tour de Yorkshire route, and raise money for The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund at Leeds Congenital Heart Unit.

The cyclists and Kartor’s parents and grandad presented a cheque to representatives from the hospital fund before kick-off at Middlesbrough’s home game win against Queens Park Rangers on Friday night (November 20).

Chief executive at Rockliffe Hall, Eamonn Elliot, who also took part in the challenge, said: “The charity bike ride was a real test of everybody’s physical and mental strength but we all did it, enjoyed it and are thrilled to have raised so much money for a cause that’s so important to many members of the Rockliffe team.”

In total the cyclists raised £5,478 after completing the gruelling challenge in July.

Alex Green, Community Fundraiser for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, said: “We are delighted to receive this cheque from Rockliffe Hall for such a fantastic amount and would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part or donated.

“The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund provides vital equipment, resources, research and training for the treatment of children and adults suffering from congenital heart disease and the money raised will go a long way to supporting patients and their families.”

The cheque presentation came in the same week that Rockliffe Hall announced its charity partnership with the Butterwick Hospice in the hope of raising £15,000 over the next 12 months.