A GROUP of cyclists have completed the arduous challenge of cycling 250 miles between Preston, North Herts, and its namesake in the North-West of the country to raise money for a four-year-old boy.

The journey took the team from the nearby village of Preston to Preston in Lancashire, over the course of three days.

It was in aid of charity Match 4 Max, set up to raise money for four-year-old Max Moore-Haines from St Ippolyts, who was born with rare blood disorder Diamond Blackfan Anaemia.

Proceeds also went to Preston Primary School, who are trying to raise money for a new classroom.

The seven men who took part in the ride were local men Max’s father, Steven, Ed Cree, John Beel, Mark Lawson, David Bushbidge, Andrew Keeping, David Burston and Simon Greaves.

After the ride, Steven told The Comet: “The whole event was a great success and surprisingly enjoyable given the distance that we travelled over the three days.

“I’m very grateful to Preston school and particularly Mark Lawson for organising the whole event as well as all the riders and people that have donated money to both of the causes. It means a great deal to me and my family.”

Max’s parents are attempting to raise the money in order to go through a complex and expensive procedure which will ensure they have another child who will be a genetic match to Max.

The umbilical cord collected at the birth of a sibling will be used for a bone marrow transplant and will provide Max with a treatment-free life.

Preston Primary School building fund has been established to raise the final �50,000 that is required to build a new classroom which will replace an existing dilapidated temporary building.