GREETED with cheers and hugs, 20 cyclists completed a 400-mile bike which raised £50,000 in memory of a tragic young man.

Family, friends and cricket playing colleagues of Rob George spent last week cycling from Paris to Colchester in memory of the 21-year-old, who died last December following a long battle with cancer.

On Thursday night the group took the ferry to Harwich, where they enjoyed breakfast courtesy of the Harwich Pier hotel before cycling the final 20 miles on Friday morning.

They were welcomed to the Colchester & East Essex cricket club in Castle Park with cheers and hugs from around 40 family and friends, along with a glass of champagne.

Rob’s mum Lorraine estimated the ride had raised £50,000 for the Rob George Foundation, which helps young people with serious illnesses or who have little income but a lot of sporting or artistic talent.

See Monday's Gazette for the full story and more pictures