Three directors from independent forecourt group AUK Investments have helped raise £7,000 for charity in a 150-mile Coast to Coast cycle race.

Brothers Simon, Marcus and Angus Hockings joined four others to make the ‘Magnificient Seven’ team that rode the gruelling hilly route from Whitehaven in Cumbria to Tynemouth in Tyne & Wear with two stopovers along the way.

Company director Simon said: “There were quite a lot of hills but we took in some beautiful scenery through the Lake District and over the Pennines. It was a lovely ride, we all enjoyed it and made it back in one piece.

“We were quite astonished how we managed to raise £7,000, and would like to thank all of our sponsors, including our fuel supplier BP.”

The money has been donated to Derian House Childrens Hospice for terminally ill kids in Preston, Lancashire.

The AUK Investments team is now thinking about doing the Blackpool Tower to Eiffel Tower challenge next year, and catching the cycling bug has also brought about a business idea – a bike shop at AUK’s site in Ings, which is on a popular mountain biking route between Kendle and Windermere.

Said Simon: “We have had an enquiry from a local bike retailer who wants us to open a couple of bike shops and we are now trying to get planning permission for Ings, which is the ideal stop-off for someone wanting to service their bike or buy some bike clothing on the Kendle to Windermere route.”