A GROUP of Gazette readers calling themselves the "Old Codgers" cycled cross-country to say thank you to a cancer charity.

The friends pedalled the 170-mile Way of the Roses coast-to-coast route from Morecambe to Bridlington in just 16 hours.

Member Dave Henderson chose to help the Rosemere Cancer Foundation after one of the Old Codgers was treated for prostate cancer at Rosemere Cancer Centre, at the Royal Preston Hospital.

The cycling group regularly rides out on Wednesdays throughout the year from the Giant bike shop in Kendal's Wildman Street.

Group member Liz Sandham came up with the Way of the Roses plan, which ended with a well-earned fish and chip tea in Bridlington.

Also cycling were fellow Old Codgers Nev Sandham, Martin Holden and David ‘Diddy’ Holden, plus friends Steve Arnott and Julie Jones.

Support came from Carolyn Holden, who shadowed the team by car and provided en-route refreshments and high-calorie traybakes from the car boot.

Regular Old Codgers cyclist Liz said: “I had been looking at the Way of the Roses as a challenge for us, and when Dave mentioned fundraising for Rosemere it just fitted perfectly."

She added: "We would like to thank everyone who supported us.”

The JustGiving page set up by Dave Henderson has so far attracted donations of £742 - way ahead of the original £500 target.

The page is still open for anyone who would like to donate; simply visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david.henderson49

Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world-class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients from throughout south Cumbria and Lancashire, who are being treated not only at Preston's Rosemere Cancer Centre but also at another eight hospital cancer units across the two counties - including those at Westmorland General Hospital, Kendal; Furness General Hospital, Barrow-in-Furness; and Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

The charity funds cutting-edge equipment, research, training and other cancer services and therapies that the NHS is unable to afford.

To find out more about the charity's work, including how to make a donation, visit www.rosemere.org.uk