A GROUP of digital whizzes has raised more than £14,000 for charity Prevent Breast Cancer by taking to their bikes in a gruelling cycling challenge.

Five employees from Altrincham-based digital signage agency Pixel Inspiration took part in the London to Paris Cycle Challenge, which saw them, along with five other supporters, travel a mammoth 320 miles between 21 and 24 June in support of the Manchester-based charity.

Barry Bugg and Natalie Woodall of the company, however, extended the journey by 240 miles by setting off from Manchester three days earlier on June 18.

A countdown clock at Manchester Central kicked them off on their journey down south to Bexleyheath, where they joined the rest of the team.

From there, they took on a number of steep climbs and descents until they reached Dover, where they boarded the ferry to Calais. Once on French soil, they tackled the demanding hills of the countryside and cycled through traditional market towns and the Somme, before finally reaching the Eiffel Tower.

With sponsors including Samsung, Scala, Dynascan, NEC and DailyDooh, the initiative came as part of a long-standing partnership between Pixel Inspiration and Prevent Breast Cancer.

Pixel recently created a poignant video for the charity to demonstrate its key messages of prediction, prevention and protection, and encourage viewers to assist with its fundraising goal of £1 million per year.

Barry, from Pixel Inspiration, said: “It has been a gruelling and challenging few months but we are so pleased to have passed the finish line with a huge donation under our belts. We are committed to supporting Prevent Breast Cancer’s groundbreaking research and we look forward to a cancer-free future.”

Prevent Breast Cancer, based at Wythenshawe Hospital, is the UK’s only charity entirely dedicated to the prediction and prevention of breast cancer. To donate to Prevent Breast Cancer, visit: https://preventbreastcancer.org.uk/donate/

Nikki Barraclough, executive director of Prevent Breast Cancer, said: “Prevent Breast Cancer would not be where we are today without the ongoing support from Pixel Inspiration.

"We are so proud of Barry and Natalie for pushing the boundaries and helping to raise a staggering £14,000. With the help of Pixel Inspiration we have now raised in total over £23,000 in donations from the London to Paris event. This will go towards funding future projects and raising awareness for the charity.”