Staff from Rosewood Packaging, based at Bede Industrial Estate, Jarrow, took part in the coast to coast route from Tyneside to Cumbria, to help fund patient care at the hospice.

Those who took part included manufacturing staff Derrick Rossiter, Lloyd Coates and Michael Kirton, plus support from stores man, John Tait, all from South Shields.

Others who took part were Stephen Lord, group managing director from Woolsington, group sales director John Lord, group finance director Martin Preston and production manager George Mather.

A company spokesman said: "This year, the Rosewood team took on the tough challenge of tackling the coast to coast route - in reverse!
"After a morning start from Jarrow on September 6, they covered around 80 miles and reached Penrith by the early evening.

"George described the first day as being extremely tough, a view shared by Derrick, although he said that the going seemed to get a little easier in the days that followed.

"On day two, they dipped their cycle wheels in the sea at Whitehaven and headed for an overnight stay in Cockermouth.

"They returned via the well-known Reivers' Route and reached Newcastleton, near Kielder, by the Saturday night.

"The team made the final part of the journey the following day, heading into Tynemouth to the cheers of family and colleagues."

The final sponsorship total from the charity ride was £3,042.

Rosewood Packaging nominated St Clare's Hospice, in Primrose Terrace, as its worthy cause for 2007.

Several generous customers and suppliers pledged donations towards the fundraising total.

Marie Watson, fundraising manager at St Clare's, said: "I would like to say a massive thank-you to those who undertook the cycle ride and to Rosewood's staff, customers and suppliers for their support.

"The sum of £3,042 is a huge amount of money to St Clare's, and it's support like this which enables us to help hundreds of people each year."