A TEAM of solicitors took on a cycling challenge to raise money for Southampton General Hospital’s cardiac patients.

The employees from Eric Robinson Solicitors cycled more than 50 miles between their five Hampshire branches as part of the firm’s 50th birthday celebrations.

David Lawrence, 53, of Lymington, Lisa Rome, 41, of Chawton, Ross Sergeant, 35, of Durley, Nick Groves, 55, of Hedge End, Catherine Maxfield, 47, of Chandler’s Ford, Emma Hendley. 34, of Totton, Lisa Perry of Old Basing, Jan Murdoch and Jenny, 60, and Paul Bakewell, 60 of Lyndhurst took part in the trip which raised £1,300 for charity.

The money will go to Daily Echo backed Wessex Heartbeat High 5 Appeal which aims to create a new ward at Southampton General Hospital for 16 to 30-year-olds with heart conditions.

The cyclists started their 51.6-mile challenge at the firm’s Carlton Crescent office and visited their colleagues in Hythe, Chandler’s Ford, Hedge End before finishing in Bitterne – a journey taking seven hours and 33 minutes.

Managing partner Catherine Maxfield said: “As it is Eric Robinson Solicitors’ 50th birthday this year, we wanted to do a course with the same number of miles as part of our celebrations.

We actually rode 51.6 miles with an average speed of 11.3 miles per hour.

“Some of it was pretty tough going, but I think we all enjoyed the downhill ride to Romsey where we hit a maximum speed of 36.3 miles per hour. To have smashed our initial target of £1,000 feels fantastic and we would like to thank all our staff, associates and clients for their donations and support.

We could not think of a more worthy cause.”

The charity is calling for people to donate or hold their own fundraising events to make the new ward a reality.

n Ring 023 8070 6095 or log on to heartbeat.

co.uk for more information or to donate to the appeal.