SEVEN members of staff at a bank branch have raised hundreds of pounds for charity by cycling their own virtual Tour de Yorkshire course.

A mortgage advisor, customer service managers and personal bankers were among the staff at Santander’s Northallerton branch who completed their own 217-mile course on a static bike in the branch.

They took it in turns to cycle their own tour of Yorkshire to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, cheered on by customers and representatives from the charity.

During their seven-hour cycle they raised a total of £225 through sponsorship, a raffle and a cake sale. The figure was doubled by The Discovery Foundation’s matched donations scheme, funded by Santander, taking the fundraising total to £450.

Lisa Whitecross, branch manager at Santander’s Northallerton branch, said: “The Tour de Yorkshire is an iconic event and it was great to see the entire community get involved in supporting the riders.

“The team had a lot of fun recreating the tour in our branch whilst raising vital funds and awareness for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.”