Cyclists and soldiers teamed up to support a charity that helps bereaved parents.

The West Yorkshire based 3RT racing team joined soldiers from Corunna Company 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment to complete a gruelling 170-mile coast-to -coast challenge.

Together they raised more than £2,800 for the Joseph Salmon Trust.

The Marsh-based charity offers financial assistance to bereaved parents of young children.

The fundraiser saw participants cycling from St Bees on the Cumbria coast to Robin Hood’s Bay on the North Yorkshire coastline.

Five Regular and Reserve soldiers from Huddersfield swapped their army fatigues for cycling gear to complete the challenge.

3RT, a local cycling club, were on hand to encourage the military group along the arduous route.

For Warrant Officer Mark Rakocevic, it was a huge learning curve as he had never ridden a bike before.

He said: “I bought a bike from a mate after he suggested I try riding this, so I had the bike only eight days before the event.

“I thought it would be a load of non-cyclists turning up but it was the 3RT racing team.

“It was a bit daunting when they turned up in all their gear and with professional racing bikes.

“It’s completely different from what you do in the Army. I’m a regular soldier and have been running and tabbing for 19 years and thought I had strong legs but that means nothing on a bike.”

The route incorporated the toughest cycling climb in Britain – the Hard Knott Pass in Eskdale, Cumbria.

Major Paul Hindmarch, the officer commanding Corunna Company, whose idea sparked the event, said: “I am over the moon with the way it went.

“The support we received from 3RT was just brilliant.

“They set the pace and kept us moving.”

The team presented their cheque to the charity at a family fun day event held at Birchencliffe Cricket Club.

The day was attended by the Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Ken Smith, who paid tribute to the cyclists. He said: “This was a gruelling ride and one which will have taken a physical toll on the riders taking part.

“I would like to thank 3RT and Corunna Company for all their efforts in aid of the Joseph Salmon Trust.”