A GROUP of young farmers have raised £20,000 for charity after cycling almost 50 miles.

Young farmers from Broughton and Furness took on the challenge cycling from Whitehaven town centre to Barrow.

The challenged, called Race for William, came after two members of the group, Ben and Lorna Cresswell gave birth to a stillborn baby in December 2016.

Sam Butterfield, one of the organisers of the event, said: "We try and do something for charity each year.

"It was my idea to pull together the groups and do a bike ride and everyone came together for it.

"It all just took off from there. We wanted to do something different and this has worked really well."

More than 60 cyclists took part in the challenge, with the group setting off at 8.30 on Saturday morning.

Mr Butterfield said: "We had 62 riders taking part and everyone has done brilliantly to make it back.

"A few of them have had to swap bikes along the way but we made it.

The group were raising money for Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity.

Mr Butterfield said: "William's parents think it is a great idea.

"His dad is taking part in the event too so he's really pleased.

"I think it's done them a lot of good. It was awful but this has helped them talk about it and they are overwhelmed."

Local businesses generously sponsored the riders who took part, with every one completing the race in full.

Mr Butterfield said: "We've had different businesses coming to sponsor each rider.

"I thought we might raise about £3,000 or £4,000 but we had about £9,000 in donations on Friday and we were hoping to raise about £12,000 after that.

"It really is a really great cause and everyone has been so generous."

Following the race, the group held a charity auction at Ulverston Sports and Social Club on Saturday evening, where they took their tally to £19,200.

Local volunteers offered their services in an effort to keep donations flooding in.

The day saw Young Farmers groups from Broughton and Furness unit to conquer the ride.

It proved a double celebration for rider John Stalker, who crossed the line first in just three hours and 20 minutes on his 30th birthday.

With donations still coming in, the group are expecting to raise more than £20,000 for the charity.

To donate to the group, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/raceforwilliam