A TEAM of senior officers and staff from Humberside Police cycled more than 200 miles to raise money for a cause close to their hearts.
They completed the distance from Tower Bridge in London to the Humber Bridge in Hessle, raising more than £2,000 for the Sick Children's Trust.
The team included Detective Superintendent Ray Higgins, investigating officer Andy Lindsley, Detective Inspector Stewart Miller, police community support officer Dan Higgins and criminal justice manager Colin Andrews, as well as joiner Matt Grey.
They chose to raise money for the charity after Stewart's son, Benjamin, now 18 months, was diagnosed with liver disease aged just three weeks and underwent surgery.
With only a 30 per cent success rate for the operation, the youngster also needed a liver transplant.
The family stayed at Eckersley House, a "home from home" run by the charity, while Benjamin was treated at Leeds General Infirmary.
Stewart, 42, said he wanted to raise money to show his appreciation for the support the family received.
He said: "Benjamin is thriving and has been very fortunate.
"He has been a textbook case and has caught up with his weight and growth.
"Andy is a meticulous planner, so he organised everything.
"We were very lucky to have good weather, conditions, company and camaraderie, and I really appreciated the support of friends and colleagues."
The team also had two support drivers, who took it in turns to cycle some of the way.
The group suffered six punctures, one shoelace caught in a chain, heatstroke and dehydration but everyone completed the journey on two wheels.
Ray, 51, said he was more than happy to help his friends and colleagues raise money for the charity following Benjamin's treatment. He said: "There was no question about it.
"It is a charity close to all our hearts.
"I cycle every weekend. I have done the Coast to Coast twice before but this one was slightly longer, with much of it off-road routes.
"It was a beautiful route and everybody did really well. That's the furthest I have ever cycled."
It took three days for the team to cycle from London to Hessle.
They broke the journey down in stages, completing 65 miles to Cambridge on day one, 55 miles to Sutton Bridge in Lincolnshire on day two and 98 miles on the final leg to Hessle.
Andy, 52, said: "When I was organising the ride, I asked the team if anyone wanted to nominate a worthwhile charity and Stewart suggested the Sick Children's Trust.
"He explained how amazing they had been to his family in his time of need.
"It was hard going at times, especially with the punctures so early on in the ride. But thinking about the wonderful work the charity undertakes was all the motivation we needed to keep going."
Jane McHale, Eckersley House manager, said the money raised by the team will cover the cost of supporting other families for 71 more nights.
