A CYCLING team on a 900-mile fundraiser from insurance company Zurich were greeted with a hero’s welcome when they stopped off at their Swindon headquarters yesterday.

In total 93 riders will be taking part in the some part of the charity challenge which aims to raise tens of thousands of pounds for the Zurich Community Trust. The money will help disadvantaged people from all walks of life.

The ride, part of Zurich’s Global Community Week, has a core group of 13 cyclists doing the 900 miles with help from fellow staff along the way. They set off on Sunday from the company’s Glasgow office and have been stopping at Zurich’s bases along the country.

They will be finishing the fundraiser in Fareham today.

During the trip, colleagues have been joining them with Tim Culling, the company’s community trust chairman, cycling the Cardiff to Swindon stint.

Tim, who lives in Malmesbury and is based at Swindon’s Tri-Centre office, said: “This has been the most unbelievable experience and every single person on this journey is determined to raise as much money as possible.

“The group is mostly made up of blokes and men being men, we’ve laughed when people have fallen off their bikes or been sick at the side of the road.

“In general, there’s been so many laughs along the way and I wish the guys all the best for the remaining parts of the journey.”

So far, the group being led by Jason Foyle, Zurich Financial Services’ Test and Quality Assurance Manager, have raised around £50,000 with them aiming to reach the £90,000 mark. Jason and his team were cheered over the line when they arrived in Swindon yesterday.

Some of those in the crowd included Jason’s wife Hayley and their children Amy, 13, Maisie, 11, Summer, six, and eight-month-old Henry.

Jason, who lives in Fareham, said: “We’ve done about 650 miles so far in six days and it has been a great thrill. I’ve done things for several years fundraising for the trust and this is one of the best reactions we’ve ever had.

“It was wonderful to see my family welcome me in. I’m not someone that cries but I nearly had a few tears in my eyes then.”

Throughout the trip the other destinations that the team have visited include Newcastle, Leeds, Man-chester, Birmingham, Farnborough and London.

Kate Hodges, Zurich Community Trust’s programme manager, said: “I’m absolutely amazed by what the team are doing. I’m so very proud of them.”

To sponsor the cyclists visit www.facebook.com/bcit2014 or text BCIT with the amount you’d like to donate to 70070.