A TEAM of York estate agents have raised more than £25,000 after swapping selling for cycling in a Tour de France-inspired challenge.

Nine staff from Linley & Simpson in Micklegate pedalled off on a 70-mile fund-raising bike ride to celebrate the county’s hosting of the Grand Depart.

The team completed their route, which started in York and covered Ripon, Harrogate, Ilkley and Leeds, in just one day, raising money for Martin House Children’s Hospice at Boston Spa.

In doing so, the saddle-sore but successful riders propelled the amount of money collected for the charity through the £25,000 mark – smashing their original target of £20,000.

Their journey was planned to take in most of the independent agency’s ten Yorkshire offices.

Among those who completed the gruelling trip were founding director Will Linley and colleagues Martin Elliott, Danny Tasker, Derryn Ward, Kim Smith, Dan Bond, Paul Bridgeman, Greg Smallwood and Ross Harding.

Director Will Linley said: “With our strong Yorkshire roots, this is a great opportunity to mark the biggest sporting occasion many of us will experience right on our doorstep, as well as raising money for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families from across the county.”

To donate visit the Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/Linley-and-Simpson