A DOZEN York City supporters raised more than £5,800 for charity by cycling to the club’s Sky Bet League Two game at Northampton Town.

The group were raising money for the British Heart Foundation in memory of Northampton Town fan David Henderson who died, aged 57, having suffered a heart attack outside the club’s Sixfields ground after last season’s game between the two sides.

Following his death, in January 2014, City followers pledged to cycle from York to Northampton for this season’s fixture, which Northampton won 3-0 on Saturday.

The team of a dozen cyclists – Ian Jones, Dan Waterworth, Ben Nicholson, Adam Livingston, Tom Poole, Joe Fletcher, Craig Atkin, Ash Taylor, Nathan Brigham, Robert Corker, Oli Stone and James Patterson – set off from York City’s Bootham Crescent ground on Thursday, and rode the 150 miles to arrive at Sixfields at 1.30pm on Saturday.

Their initial target was to raise £1,000 but, so far, they have raised more than £5,800, and the total is still climbing.

On Saturday the Ride To Northampton group’s Twitter account posted pictures of notes of congratulations in a card from David’s widow, Amanda, and son Alex.

Amanda’s note said: “It’s been fabulous to see football clubs united in their support for a very worthy cause in his memory.

“Words fail to describe just how much this gesture has meant to our family. It’s a wonderful achievement, one you most certainly should be proud of.”

Ian Jones said: “We never wanted thanking, it was simply just to raise money but to read the words over and over again it brings a tear to your eye. It really does.

“The reaction has been fantastic. There were about 200 there to clap us in when we arrived at the ground at 1.30pm and we had a lap of honour and a standing ovation before the match. It was unreal and made the hairs on the backs of our necks stand up.”

Supporters and both teams donated more money to the fund, while Elcocks and Poppleton Executive Travel both provided help for the cyclists’ journey.

Ian said: “It was painful from ten miles in when my knee went, but the fear of not completing it kept us going. I would have walked it if I had to.”

To donate to the fund, go to the website justgiving.com/Ride2Northampton