Published: Wednesday, 1st July, 2009 5:05pm

CASH BOOST FOR SICK KIDS THANKS TO PEDAL POWER

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TWENTY Inchinnan cyclists pedalled their way to an amazing £10k for charity.

The challenging 112-mile bike ride to the Heads of Ayr and back was the friends" way of raising money for Yorkhill Sick Children"s Hospital.

The charity cyclists - who are workmates at Rolls Royce, Inchinnan - took just under ten hours to complete their epic journey.

The men, aged 28 to 60, also completed three gruelling training sessions of 50, 70 and 80 miles to ensure they were in the best shape possible.

Paul Burke, the event"s coordinator, set out with £10,000 as his target figure - and the cyclists were delighted that they reached their goal.

The cyclists" workmate, James McIntosh, said: 'They would not admit to being super-fit athletes but they are just a decent bunch of guys who wanted to make a difference.'

He added: 'This is not the first time this group of cyclists have committed themselves to raise money for charity.

'Last year they raised around £8,000 for Yorkhill and the year before they raised a substantial amount for another worthy cause.

'Last year the money was used to build a new playroom but it is just brilliant that we have managed to raise such a large amount of money this year.

'Unfortunately the reason for the support for this particular hospital is that some of our workforce have had to take their young families there for treatment - so their colleagues are digging deep into their pockets to help.

'They have shunned the limelight in the last couple of years but now we feel they deserve some sort of recognition for their efforts.

'So well done to Yorkhill Hospital but a very, very big thank you goes to this posse of fine members of the community in continually helping great causes such as the Sick Kids.'

Because Yorkhill Sick Children"s Hospital helped them in the organisation they will be able to claim almost £3,000 in Gift Aid taking the total to a tremendous £13,000.

The guys celebrated the fundraiser with a charity dance - where local band "Wild Horses Show Band" donated their services free of charge and local businesses provided fantastic raffle prizes.

There was also an auction with signed football tops donated by Rangers and Celtic up for grabs.