JUST three months after avoiding a deathly whiteout while climbing Bev Nevis, two Black Country fundraisers have now cycled from coast-to-coast for Mary Stevens Hospice.

Scott Moore, of Stourbridge, and Gornal man Rikki Theodosi were this time joined on their recent charity challenge by friend Andrew Baxter as they rode from Tynecastle in the North East to Whitehaven in the North West in less than three days.

True to form, the men experienced a dramatic turn of events on the second day, as Scott fell seriously ill, leaving Rikki and Andrew to complete the middle leg of the cycle on their own.

However, the 28-year-old got back on the bike for the third and final day, as he was “determined to finish at all costs”.

Across the two challenges, the group raised just over £3,000 for the Stourbridge charity.

The trio will now be taking a break from fundraising, as Scott is set to undergo two operations on his hips in the coming months.

Scott said: “I wanted to make sure that we did something special this summer, to follow on from our three peaks challenge earlier in the year.

“The illness at the end of the first day was like nothing I’ve ever experienced, but we hadn’t travelled so far and trained so hard to quit, and I’m lucky to have two great friends alongside me to help me get through it.

“The hospice is a wonderful place, and a cause that we are all so passionate about. We’re already planning our next challenge for when I’m back on my feet.”

Dan Malin, the Hagley Road hospice’s digital media specialist, said: “The difference that supporters like Scott, Rikki and Andrew make is just extraordinary.

“The money they raise is obviously fantastic and so, so helpful for us, but it’s the atmosphere they create as well.

“As a hospice, whenever they’re doing one of these things we all tune in to find out how they’re getting on and follow their progress and you end up just feeling so proud of their incredible accomplishments.

“Naturally, the drama that seems to follow them gives us sleepless nights but hopefully they won’t have to face a blizzard or severe illness during the next one. Third time’s the charm, as they say.”

For more information about Mary Stevens Hospice visit www.marystevenshospice.co.uk