Just under �40,000 has been raised for a children's charity through an en mass cycle challenge completed by staff from local building firm R G Carter Ltd.

The money has been raised for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) through R G Carter's Grand Tour Cycle Relay, involving staff from its various offices around East Anglia, to raise a total of �39,500.

The relay saw cyclists travel around the R G Carter Group office's, distances of up to 50 miles, handing the baton to each company.

The 10 different legs encompassed over 400 miles and 10 offices, in six weekends, travelling along a route from Norwich, through Fakenham, King's Lynn, Peterborough, Cambridge, Thetford, Bury St Edmunds, Colchester, Ipswich, Harleston and finally back to Drayton.

Some completed 30-mile courses in less than one hour and 40 minutes, with both the Quidenham and Ipswich EACH hospices visited en route.

The final leg of the relay, from Blackburns of Harleston to Drayton, saw 84 cyclists, 14 marshals and a generous number of well-wishers and family members turn out to support the charity.

James Carter, company director, said: 'We chose to support EACH as our primary charity this year because of the fantastic work they carry out supporting families and looking after young people in areas local to our businesses.'

Mark Loades, EACH Norfolk partnership manager, added: 'Everyone at RG Carter should be incredibly proud of their achievements, and we can't thank them enough for their dedication and support.

'Having travelled a 400-mile route around East Anglia, the team raised just under �40,000. This is the largest donation we have received from a single event in recent times.

'Thank you to everyone who helped to make this such a success – your support means we can continue to provide care and support to local life-threatened children and their families.'

Are you organising a fundraising event? Contact reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or david.freezer@archant.co.uk