STUDENTS from north Durham have taken part in a 130-mile bike ride to raise cash for a sick youngster.

A group of 11 uniformed services students from Derwentside College rode the coast-to-coast route from Workington in Cumbria to Sunderland last week.

They were joined by two members of staff as part of their final Higher Sports Leader Award and raised money for six-year-old Chloe Cant from Chopwell, Gateshead. Chloe has multiple learning needs and health problems, including autism and a life-limiting form of epilepsy.

One of the students, Kerry Haley, said: "We were all excited about the Coast-to-Coast challenge, and delighted that we raised funds for Uniformed Service's charities and Chloe Cant. We hope that the money we raised will enable Chloe to have a greater chance to succeed in life."

Chloe's friends and family have been raising money to start up a SonRise Programme, a home-based education scheme.