A GROUP of cricketers swapped their bats for bikes to raise money for two charities.

The 10 cricketers, who play for Lowerhouse and Read, got on their bikes to cycle the entire length of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The marathon trek was a fundraiser for Pendleside Hospice and Cancer Research UK.

They hoped to raise £1,000 but have smashed that figure to reach £3,137 in pledges, so have upped their target to £3,500.

Adam Hope, Gavin Boyle, Paul Ormerod, Chris and Paul McEvoy, Matthew and Scott Doughty, Scott Hope, Ben Gibson and Rob Stewart all carried out the 127-mile bike ride over two days this week.

Organiser Adam Hope, 24, of Manchester Road, Burnley, said: “I decided I wanted to do something for charity and this sounded like a good idea.

"We chose both charities because they help local people fighting awful illnesses.

“To be honest we have just completed 19 hours of cycling now and we are all very sore and tired. Our knees have just locked.

“I think in hindsight we were a little under prepared, 80 per cent of the way is mud and its very different to cycle on that rather than footpaths.

“The most any of us had cycled before this in one day was 40 miles so we have done well.

“I think we will be heading out to celebrate if we don’y fall asleep.”

To make a donation to the fund visit the website below or donate via SMS. Text ABLH57 then the amount (eg £1) to 70070 and it will go straight to Cancer Research UK.