THEY were confronted with driving rain and gusty winds – but nothing would stop friends of York war hero David Hart from completing the coast-to-coast cycle ride in his memory.

The 22-strong team pedalled 140 miles from the west to east coast of England in three days, raising nearly £7,000 for the charity Help for Heroes, which helps to rehabilitate servicemen and women wounded in Afghanistan.

They took on the challenge in honour of Royal Marine Hart, from Upper Poppleton, who was killed in an explosion while on foot patrol in Afghanistan, on the eve of his 24th birthday in July.

One of the cyclists was Marine Hart’s girlfriend, Sarah Horsley, who said: “The weather was the worst it could have been – it was raining, windy and very cold – and there were times when my whole body went numb.

“You are cycling and you are thinking ‘how am I going to get through today?’ Friday and Sunday were awful, but everyone just helped each other through.

“When we got to the end the sun actually came out and so many people came to the finish to clap us – it was the best feeling. I couldn’t believe we had done it.

“Dave’s mum and dad were there with champagne and we all toasted Dave. It was really emotional.”

Sarah, 22, who works as a team leader at Superdrug in Acomb, said: “He would have been so proud of everyone that did it – I can see him smiling now. It was the proudest moment of my life – my biggest ever achievement.

“When I look back now I think ‘how did I get through that?’ But there was never a moment I thought about giving up, not at all. I wanted to do it for Dave.”

It’s not too late to sponsor the team. To donate money to Help for Heroes, visit their online fundraising page at justgiving.com/davehartc2c