THREE West Devon women and a friend, who nicknamed themselves the ‘Gamebirds’, pedalled nearly 200 miles to raise several thousand pounds for two deserving charities.

Tori Cunningham from Brentor, Fiona Huntington-Whitely from Quither and Penny Kitson from Botus Fleming, ably supported by Sarah-Jane Cumming from Coryton providing back-up, spent two days on their bikes to raise money for Farms for City Children in Iddesleigh and Buttercross Health Centre in Somerton.

The two charities were favourites of Tori and Fiona’s mothers, who both died last year.

Sarah-Jane said: ‘After a wonderful send-off by the children and staff at Farms for City Children, the Gamebirds set off from Nethercott House at 7.30am. It was a cold morning, but dry and the ride through the lanes at that time of the morning was lovely.

‘They were quickly into the swing of it and powered up the hills and along the flat with no problem. Even the horrid, vertical hill at Templeton was considered “not too bad”.’

By 2.30pm the team cruised into Somerton, having completed the first stage of 75-miles in an incredible time of seven hours.

‘We met up with Sarah and Sharon from Buttercross Health Centre in the evening, but the excitement of the day proved too much and by 9.30pm everyone was tucked up and fast asleep,’ said Sarah-Jane.

‘The intention was to set off early the next day for the home leg, but it didn’t quite work out like that. A flat tyre put paid to any ideas of a quick start and being such a team we all had a say in how to change the inner tube and thereby lies another story! But by 8.30am the Gamebirds were back on the road.’

The second day was harder for the Gamebirds as there were many more hills, another puncture and a more difficult route. They were tired from the day before but their aim was to finish back at Burnville at 7pm, which they managed — virtually in the dark.

Sarah-Jane said: ‘The girls did amazingly well. There was lots of laughter, a few tears, a couple of “incidents” and much gritting of teeth and determination, but they did it, biking 168.5-miles and climbing 7,689ft over the two days. So a huge thank you to everyone who sponsored them in this challenge — you helped raise an incredible £4,170 which will be divided equally between Farms for City Children and Buttercross Health Centre.’

Anyone who would still like to donate can do so by emailing Sarah-Jane at [email protected]