A CYCLING team from a Newport electronics firm raised more than £3,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of much-loved colleagues.

Cyclist enthusiasts from TT Electronics Integrated Manufacturing Services successfully took part in a 200-mile cycle challenge from Holyhead Harbour to Tenby Harbour. It was the team's third annual bike ride.

After last year’s challenge from East to West Wales, the team made up of Richard Croad, Mike Satherley, Roel Nieuwendijk, Gareth Sandford, Gareth Williams, Barry Hackling, Steve Reynolds and Dean Harris, with a support team of Nigel and Jill Ellis decided that the only way to go this year was North to South Wales.

Participant Mr Croad said: "This year’s ride became a lot more personal for all of us at TT Electronics as our colleagues Joanne Rees lost her long battle with cancer in August 2014 and Sandra Hartley passed away very suddenly in February 2015.

"Our annual charity ride was started as a result of Jo’s illness and our association at TT Electronics with Macmillan, so we have decided to name the 2015 event 'The Jo Rees Memorial Cycle Ride'.

"Our thoughts are still very much with both families and hope our fundraising activity in their memory can give them some comfort.”

With the same determined spirit that the team has shown year on year, the cyclists battled through cold wet weather during the trip which was broken down over three days from Holyhead to Dolgellau, Dolgellau to Lampeter and then Lampeter to Tenby.

Despite experiencing winds of up to 50 plus mile per hour on the continuous climbing through Snowdonia to Machynlleth, the team also took in places such as, Caernarfon Castle and Porthmadog, and enjoyed incredible views of the Llyn Peninsula and Snowdonia National Park.

Mr Croad added: "A gentleman called James Havelock approached us from his pub The Station Inn in Porthmadog, as he spotted us all wearing our green Macmillan t-shirts.

"He told us that one of his regulars Steve 'Psycho' Smith had abstained from alcohol for two months to raise money for Macmillan because his mother was terminally ill with cancer.

"They were waiting for the right moment to donate the money they had collected and unbelievably chose that moment to hand over £441 to complete strangers. This gave everybody a lift in the party and made the last 30 miles somewhat easier.”

The team to date have raised £3,123 on their justgiving page.

If your company would like to hold a fundraising event in support of Macmillan call 0300 1000 200 or visit macmillan.org.uk/fundraising