Quadracycle challenge raises money for charity

A group of men have cycled 250 miles (402km) to raise money and awareness for a brain tumour charity and a hospice.

The team of 10 friends in their 50's and 60's have cycled from Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, to Dartmouth, Devon, over eight days on a quadracycle to raise money for Brain Tumour Research and Keech Hospice Care.

The group said they were inspired to do the Woods to the Waves challenge by 12-year-old Betsy who became blind after a brain tumour at the age of two.

Dean Tanner, who organised the challenge, said he hoped to raise awareness because "it's unbelievable how many people are actually affected by brain tumours".

Tanner said he was "really blown away" by the support of people he met along the way.

"Everyone smiling and coming out and donating putting money in the in the collection buckets," he said.

He added he believed there needed to be more funding in brain tumour research.

"We didn't realise how many people it affects and we certainly learnt that from the journey," he said.

Three members of the team had close family members who have had brain tumours which Tanner said made it a very "personal journey".

"It was quite emotional at the end," he said.

"We're hoping to raise £40,000, we're just over £20,000 so... we'll keep on plugging away and seeing what we can get," Tanner added.

On the group's donation page they said they bought the "Quadfather" as a wreck and have "lovingly restored it back to life".

Tanner said: "We took it in turns because you could only ride four at a time.

"Because it's got no gears it's very demanding and we had to push it up lots of huge hills so it took six of us you know to push up the hill."

He added there were two support vehicles so "we were swapping in and out of driving and riding and pushing".

The group's adventure even saw celebrity attention.

Cyclist Sir Chris Hoy sent the group a voice note during their journey to wish them luck.

He said: "It's a challenge for a reason, keep the cause in mind when it gets tough and you'll be there at the finishing line before you know it."

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