FOUR staff from the endoscopy department at the Cumberland Infirmary completed a 100-mile cycling challenge. 

The cycle ride went from Carlisle to Edinburgh and was done to raise money for two charities. 

Holly Mattock, Lesley Fordyce, Susan Hopper, and Hannah Burton cycled through the night last night to raise awareness and funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) and the Eden Valley Hospice.

The ‘Ride to the Sun’ event is in memory of Susan’s husband – Tony Hopper who were a former Carlisle United Football Club and Workington Reds footballer.

The challenge saw the group cycle from Carlisle to Crammond Beach in Edinburgh in time for sunrise.

Tony, 42, sadly died in 2018 and since then, Susan has worked tirelessly to raise money to further boost funds for MNDA.

Ms Hopper said: "I organised the event – we have a team of 50 in total – in memory of Tony. So far, £120,000 has been raised in his memory for both charities.

“We are coming together to remember loved ones we have lost that have used the services of the hospice, and to help people of Cumbria who have had a diagnosis with MND and their families.”

This year, Daniel, Tony's 17-year-old son, joined the group to complete the challenge.