On their bikes for £150,000 appeal

A team of 42 cyclists and ten support crew will set off on a 200-mile ride today to raise money for a new mammography machine at Nottingham City Hospital.

The will cycle from Edinburgh Castle to Newcastle.

The group, from the Newark area, started cycling six years ago to raise money for

Nottingham Breast Institute, based at the hospital, after the death of a friend, Katy Taylor, from breast cancer, aged 37.

One of the cyclists, Paula Routledge, of Caunton, said: “Our first ride raised enough money for the City Hospital to buy a mobile scanning unit, which is permanently in position at Newark Hospital.”

A plaque dedicated to Katy is on the wall at the hospital.

Since the first ride two other friends in the group, Sue Duffin and Jacqueline Wright, have also died from breast cancer.

So far the group has raised more than £160,000. This year it is hoping to help fund the mammography machine, which will cost £150,000.

Members have been fundraising as well as collecting money through sponsorship.

Last weekend they took part in a pink tutu ride around nine pubs, starting at The Plough, Caunton, and finishing at The Muskham Ferry, collecting £500 along the way.

There will be a Strawberry Ball in the Lady Eastwood Pavilion, Newark Showground, on October 20.

Paula said: “Through friendship and determination we hope we can achieve our goal.”