CYCLISTS from a construction firm raised £4,500 for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) with a 300-mile sponsored cyle ride.

Staff from Stepnell pedalled all the way from Poole to Rugby to raise vital funds for the life-saving service.

The seven strong team complete the trip in four days, stopping at family-owned business's offices in Poole, Chandler's Ford, Wantage, Kidderminster, Nottingham and finally, Rugby.

Six other Stepnell colleagues joined in the challenge for various legs of the journey.

“I am really proud of all our people who took part in the cycle ride and raised desperately needed funds for our chosen charity Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, which has attended more than 8,000 emergencies since they began operations in 2007,” says Nick Garlick, Stepnell commercial manager and one of the cyclists.

“HIOWAA relies upon support from the public and organisations such as Stepnell to help raise the vital funds needed every day to keep the service going. We hope the money our cycle team has raised will help to save more lives across the county.”

The cycle ride was organised as part of Stepnell’s company-wide charity fundraising campaign, marking the firm’s 150th business anniversary.

HIOWAA corporate fundraiser, Ray Southam, says: “We’re so grateful to Stepnell for this very welcome boost. It costs over £9,000 a day to keep the Air Ambulance flying and saving lives and we simply could not do it without the commitment and dedication shown by local businesses and communities."