A team of cyclists, including two from Falmouth and Helston, pedalled more than 200 miles, braving wind, rain and steep terrain to complete the Tour de Cornwall and raise more than £9,200 for the county’s air ambulance service.

Ten people, including Jamie Smith from Falmouth and Katie Evans from Helston, took on the charity challenge organised by Cornwall Air Ambulance. The cyclists zig-zagged their way along the length and breadth of Cornwall.

Starting at Longstone Park in Saltash, the team cycled 77 miles to Newquay, where they stayed overnight before riding another 77 miles to the Lizard the following day. The third and final day saw them pedal a final 52 miles to a triumphant finish at Land’s End.

Becky Wise, senior fundraising officer at Cornwall Air Ambulance, said: “Cycling 200 miles in three days through Cornwall is a tough proposition, but add torrential rain and strong winds to the mix and you’ve got a mega challenge on your hands.

"I was so proud of our cyclists, whose determination, resilience and good spirits helped them complete a journey they will be proud of for the rest of their lives.

“During the toughest moments of the journey, each one of them was spurred on by the fact the sponsorship money they raised would fund the lifesaving work of the air ambulance. Each lifesaving mission costs an average of £4,000, which means the Tour de Cornwall cyclists raised enough money to save two people’s lives through pedal power. Now that’s something to be proud of.”

The full line-up of cyclists was: Katie and Jamie, along with Ryan Hichens and Sarah Vincent, of Redruth; Jonathan Trethowan, of St Agnes; Chris Chapman, of Bodmin; Geoffrey Wingfield, of St Columb; Martin Gillbard and Peter Statton, of Launceston and Justin Althaus, from London.