COURAGEOUS cycling soldiers have raised thousands of pounds for a hospital charity after conquering a gruelling coastline bike ride.

Troops from the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment, at Merville Barracks, have donated nearly £6,500 to the Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity.

The ten-strong Colchester team generated the funding after embarking on a 500-mile tour around Scotland, which featured a staggering ascent of 10,363-metres.

Held over five days, the challenging excursion took the peloton of pedal-pushers from Inverness Castle in the Highlands to the tip of John O’Groats and back again.

Sgt Brad Clements, one of the cyclists who organised the ride, described the route as “testing”, and said the weather conditions had brought even greater challenges.

“The North Coast 500 is a really testing event and one of the biggest attractions for cyclists, so everyone who is into camping and cycling knows about it,” he said.

“The Scottish weather was pretty horrendous. The first day was the best day, but after that there were times when we were pedalling against 25-mile-per-hour crosswinds.”

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The soldiers arranged the fundraiser to thank Ipswich Hospital for the care they gave to one of their daughters following a horse riding accident.

All of the money raised by the cyclists and the generous donors who have supported them will now be used to bolster the non-profit organisation’s Children’s Appeal.

The campaign is striving to raise £6.9million pound to completely transform the Children’s Department at Ipswich Hospital.

Work on improving its facilities and creating a modern, child-friendly environment fit for the 21st century has already started, but more than £40,000 is still required.

Sgt Clements added: “We wanted to raise funds for the unit to give something back after they cared for the daughter of one of our colleagues.

“I think it’s a really incredible cause.”

To support the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment’s efforts, visit justgiving.com and search for 3 Para C Company.

For additional information about the Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity’s Children’s Appeal, head to colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/childrensappeal.