CYCLISTS have clocked up their first miles as part of a 140-mile charity bicycle ride in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.

Volunteers at Queens Meadow Care Home in Hartlepool officially launched the static bike relay challenge being taken on by several Hill Care-operated homes in the North-East.

Staff members and family and friends of residents were joined by Year Five children from St Cuthbert’s Primary School, off Stratford Road, Hartlepool to take turns in the saddle on Monday.

Hartlepool United’s H’Angus the Monkey mascot also got behind the handlebars for the cause alongside Vicki Hutchinson and Keith Knobbs from the club’s National Citizenship Service.

Julie Armstrong, home manager at the Stockton Road Queens Meadow Care Home, said: “We’d like to thank the children of St Cuthbert’s Primary School and Hartlepool United’s NCS for joining in our fundraising challenge.

“All donations will go to the Alzheimer’s Society, a charity close to our hearts at Queens Meadow Care Home.

“We look forward to seeing how our partner homes get on with their cycling challenges throughout the week.

“We’d encourage anyone interested in helping us raise funds to donate or volunteer their time on the static bikes.”

Sponsorships and donations will be collected before a grand total is revealed after the week-long cycling challenge, which includes The Gables in Middlesbrough, alongside Stockton-based Mandale House, Ingleby and The Beeches Care Homes.