EIGHT intrepid cyclists took to the saddle and followed the path of the Tour de France - to help children in hospital have some fun.

The team from Northallerton Round Table got on their bikes to raise funds for paediatric services at the town’s Friarage Hospital.

During their two-day, 118-mile ride – following the path of the Grand Depart – they raised more than £2,500

With the funds they bought and engraved four iPads which will now benefit the young patients and be used for distraction purposes.

Round Table president Simon Wilson planned and arranged the ride, which raised the most ever raised by the group in an individual event.

The group were keen to support a local cause again after last year supporting the Friarage’s £2 million scanner appeal

Group chairman John Bayley said: “Children’s services at the Friarage benefit so many people and we were delighted to be able to support them.”

Claire Welford of the children’s community nursing team at the Friarage, said: “The team are incredibly grateful and the iPads will benefit so many children as they will be used across the broad spectrum of paediatric services at the hospital.

“The iPads will be used for distraction therapy when children come into the hospital and in the home environment as well as a resource for training parent and carers.

“We were grateful when we thought we were getting one iPad but were delighted when we were presented with four.”