A TEAM of cyclists has completed a gruelling charity ride through the Alps.

The four-strong group was raising cash for several causes, including the Airedale NHS Foundation Trust Endoscopy Appeal.

And the riders – Christa Baldwin, Kevin Wharton, Ray Cryer and Kevin Owens – finished their mammoth 1,200-mile challenge at Airedale Hospital, where they were greeted by family, friends and staff.

The quartet raised more than £5,000.

“The enormity of our ride did not sink in until cycling the first mountain – Mount Ventoux – which took us nearly three hours," said Mr Wharton, 60.

“In total the ride took 16 days, cycling each day from 8.30am until anywhere between 5pm and 7pm.

"It certainly took its toll on us but luckily for the majority of the ride the weather was kind, although we did have a few days of torrential rain which made it dangerous as well as miserable.

“The constant reminder of the great causes we were raising money for kept us going, as well as support from family and friends – seven of Christa’s friends flew out to France to wave banners and cheer us on, which really gave us a boost.

“We would like to thank our fantastic support team, Darren Pighills and Maureen Wharton, without whom we would not have been able to complete such a challenge.”

Julie Blackburn, sister on the endoscopy unit, paid tribute to the cyclists.

"We are so grateful for the team taking on such an enormous challenge to help raise money for our unit," she said.

"They did a fantastic job and the money will go a long way to helping patients.”

Other causes to benefit are Breast Cancer Care, the Army Benevolent Fund and the Rotary Foundation.