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THREE intrepid pensioners have raised nearly £10,000 for charity by cycling all over Europe.

Peter Lambert, 71, from Malmesbury, David Bourne, 68, from Chippenham, and 70-year-old Richard Brunning, from Swindon, rode more than 3,200 miles around Rome and Poland and raised £9,098.

Their achievement was remarkable because Mr Lambert had a knee and hip replacement two years ago, Mr Brunning has had a triple heart bypass and Mr Bourne has diabetes.

They were presented with certificates from the British Heart Foundation at a ceremony last Wednesday.

Mr Lambert said: "The most difficult part was collecting the sponsorship money - the cycling was relatively easy.

"We did have a few adventures along the way. I was bitten by an alsatian in Germany and had to cycle to hospital and have three x-rays and two injections.

"Amazingly while on the Poland ride, we only had two punctures and one was when we were within 10kms if our finish line.

"We stayed in some pretty seedy places at times, but it was great fun really."

In 2005 they cycled from Calais to Rome and last May they rode from Calais to Krakow in Poland.

On the first trip the friends covered 2,009 miles through France, Switzerland and Italy - and had a lucky escape when Mr Bourne was knocked off his bike by a lorry. On their second trip, they covered 1,240 miles in just 27 days.

Paul Bancroft, British Heart Foundation fundraising manager for Wiltshire, said: "The British Heart Foundation is immensely grateful for the magnificent sum of £9,098 that has been raised by these three."

For information on British Heart Foundation fundraising, call Mr Bancroft on (01380) 848276.

10:51am Thursday 24th January 2008

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