A TEAM from Upton braved the scorching sunshine on Sunday, May 23, to complete a 30-mile bike ride around London in aid of the Stroke Association.

The team was organised by King’s Head landlord Grahame Bunn, who wanted to support the charity as his father Eddie died after suffering a stroke in 1998.

The riders - Mr Bunn, town councillors John Dean and Jackie Surtees, Richard Wiggett, Katie Smith, Mick Twist, Stuart Smith and Eddie Pugh - took about five hours to complete the ride, which took them across 13 Thames bridges, including famous Tower Bridge. They were assisted by Colin Smith and Ray Gidley, who acted as their drivers and mechanics for the event.

Mr Bunn said everyone had thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

“It was a cracking day,” he said. “It was really, really hot and because of the weather central London was absolutely packed with tourists and traffic, which made the first part of the ride quite slow going.

“But it eased up as the day went on and it went really well.”

Sponsorship money is still coming in and Mr Bunn hopes the team will come close to raising £1,000 for the Stroke Association.

Anyone who would like to donate can do so at the Kings Head or online at www.justgiving.com/Jackie-Surtees-Kings-Head.