A TEAM put together by a Knutsford hair salon has completed a gruelling 250-mile charity cycle, raising more than £10,000 for women’s gynaecological charity The Eve Appeal.

The Saks Hair Knutsford team, organised by franchisee Paula Wood and her partner Mark, took on the bike ride from the Minshull Street salon to Saks HQ in Darlington, before doing it all over again the following day.

As well as the distance, the cyclists climbed 18,000 feet across the two day event – the equivalent of climbing from sea level to Mount Everest base camp.

Paula said: "What started as an idea in the pub between my husband and his cycling mate turned into reality, and has shown great teamwork, friendships and dedication.

“We were overwhelmed by the support we had and were delighted to raise over £10,000 for The Eve Appeal.”

The Eve Appeal is the UK’s gynaecological cancer research charity, raising awareness and funding research into five gynae-cancers.

Jezz Ellis, Saks UK’s business development manager who took part in the ride, said: “Immensely proud to represent Saks UK in this epic challenge.

“The 250 miles were hard, the 18,000ft of climbing was harder but the friendships made along the way and the funds raised for The Eve Appeal made it all worthwhile.

“Saks Knutsford franchisee Paula and her partner Mark did an incredible job in organising the event, from planning, fundraising, and keeping us all fed along the way.”

The ride, which was split into two eight-hour days of 125 miles each, took cyclists through Wilmslow, Cheadle, Manchester, Middleton and Rochdale before climbing over the Pennines into Hebden Bridge, Keighley and a Skipton lunch stop.

The team went on to Kettlewell and Aysgarth Falls before the final push via Catterick and Richmond, ending the day in Darlington, home to Saks UK’s headquarters.

See the online donations at justgiving.com/companyteams/cycleeverestbasecamp