Four Doncaster firefighters are hoping to have raised around £4,000 after successfully completing a cycle ride from London to Edinburgh in a remarkable 30 hours.

Tony Crossfield, Rob Halliwell and Dan Nortcliffe from Doncaster Green watch, along with Alex Marland from Adwick Green watch, faced heavy rain and driving wind throughout much of their gruelling journey.

But the group defied the dreadful conditions to complete the trip from Buckingham Palace to Edinburgh Castle.

All the cash raised will go to the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity in Sheffield.

Tony said: “We started at 7am outside the palace where it was raining and unfortunately we had a head wind that stayed with us for the next 200 miles where it turned into a side wind! We arrived at the Doncaster Dome at 7pm and after some food we continued on through the evening and into the night.

“Eventually we reached the A68, a very hilly stretch of road leading past the border and into Edinburgh, where we were met again by our families at the top of the Royal Mile outside the castle. The ride was exactly 400 miles and took a riding time of 25 hours although with breaks this was over 30 which was longer than anticipated but understandable considering the conditions!”

Lyndsey Raynor, Fundraiser at the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, said: “Thank you to all the cyclists for completing this incredible challenge to raise funds for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity. The support we have received from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is very much appreciated.

“Every penny raised from the firefighters will be spent in our region helping to support research and improve treatment and care for people living with cancer”

The firefighters were cheered on throughout the ride by a SYFR support crew of Graham Wilkinson, Colin Dickerson, Mike Anthony and Ian Barwell, as well as a handful of family and friends.