EX-SERVICEMEN and staff from a County Durham company joined forces to tackle a gruelling 320-mile challenge for charity.

The team from PWS, in Newton Aycliffe, four veterans and support riders powered through their £250,000 target in aid of Phoenix House, the Help For Heroes Recovery Centre in Catterick Garrison.

The Blood Sweat and Gears route saw the brave cyclists complete 22,000 feet of punishing climbs over six days across the Western Cape of South Africa.

Mark Stephenson, CEO at PWS, which supplies kitchen components and worksurfaces, said: “What started off as a pie-in-the-sky idea for me, quickly grew to become an exceptional project.

"Blood Sweat and Gears has surpassed all my expectations and turned into something extremely special that stirred up so many emotions for all involved.

"I have a genuine feeling of pride knowing that we will help to change some lives, not only for the incredible veterans who took part, but for many more who will benefit from the money raised."

Among the team was veteran Jon Knott, a recumbent cyclist who served in the RAF but was discharged when he developed Multiple Sclerosis, and Sean Donlan, who suffered severe brain injury following an explosion caused by a rocket-propelled grenade.

The team also included two Rugby World Cup Winners, Will Greenwood MBE and Morne Du Plessis.

It was thanks to months of hard winter training that they were able to triumph - starting in Franschhoek and battling through strong headwinds, hail and heavy rain to reach the finish line in Knysna.

The group expects to have raised about £300,000 which will go directly to Phoenix House to fund psychological wellbeing programmes over the coming years.

Mr Stephenson has been a regular supporter of Help For Heroes for a number of years, from donating adapted kitchens to two of their Recovery Centres through to hosting vocational training to support veterans in their employment resettlement.

He added: "It represents a staggering performance by everyone involved. My sincere thanks go to all our very generous suppliers and customers who have so kindly supported the challenge and made it such a great success.”

For more information about the company's Blood Sweat and Gears challenge visit www.bloodsweatandgears.cc and to donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/BloodSweatandGears2016