STAFF from Malvern Hills and Wychavon district councils have raised nearly £1,000 for charity by cycling a combined 830 miles.

In support of BBC Children in Need’s Rickshaw Challenge 2018, council staff smashed their £200 target and reached £905 when they cycled hundreds of miles.

A group of 12 from MHDC clocked up 171 miles on static bikes at Malvern Splash, with Cllr David Watkins, portfolio holder for housing and communities, reaching 13 miles dressed in a suit.

Another team of six, which included health and wellbeing officer, Rachel Vann, cycled 65 miles each when they rode from Pendock to Pensax on the same day.

17 Wychavon staff members took part in the cycle challenge at Pershore Leisure Centre where they covered 214 miles. Other participants took on the challenge in their own time.

The same week, the BBC Children in Need’s Rickshaw Challenge 2018 saw a team of six young people, who have been supported by BBC Children in Need funded projects, pedal 423 miles across the UK to raise money for the charity.

The rickshaw travelled through the district on Tuesday, November =13, and was welcomed to Malvern by hundreds of people.

Rachel Vann, physical activity and wellbeing officer at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “Thank you to everyone who donated online and in person to our cycle challenge, we have been blown away by the support from the community. Our aim was to make a difference to children’s lives and help raise funds for those who need it the most, hopefully we have achieved this.”

Cllr Gerry O’Donnell, portfolio holder for community development, culture and sport at Wychavon District Council, said: “BBC Children in Need is a fantastic charity that helps thousands of children and young people across the country who are facing a range of disadvantages. This challenge has been a great way of supporting the charity whilst promoting the importance of exercise in maintaining good health and well-being.”

Visit the-rickshaw-challenge-2018.everydayhero.com/uk/mhdc-wdc-staff or the-rickshaw-challenge-2018.everydayhero.com/uk/wychavon-officers to donate.