SWAPPING his business suit for a fetching pair of lycra shorts, Chris Townsend of Curo Chartered Accountants in Bromsgrove took part in 158 cycle ride for charity.

He was among the more energetic members of the NSPCC’s Birmingham and Black Country Business Board and their guests, who embarked on a gruelling two-day ride through the Cotswolds, which raised more than £4,000 for the children's charity.

The event is the first in a line of fundraising initiatives to be completed by the NSPCC’s BBCBB this year, culminating in a landmark NSPCC charity ball in November. which aims to raise a six-figure sum for the charity in the West Midlands.

Neil Dunsby of the board, said: “The NSPCC Birmingham service centre plays a vital role in ensuring that the region’s most vulnerable children are supported. The staff at the centre are extremely inspirational and the Board is passionate about helping them to continue their fantastic work. The cycle across the Cotswolds was a gruelling but uplifting event for everyone involved and we would like to thank everyone who got behind us to help raise so much money for such a great cause.”