EIGHT teenagers from Worcester have completed a 24-hour cycling challenge and raised almost £800 for charity.

The kind-hearted group of 16 and 17-year-olds organised the event as part of their National Citizen Service programme this summer – and collected £798 for local good cause Worcester Snoezelen.

Asda in St Martin’s Quarter hosted the fundraiser, which was split into two 12-hour stints, and shoppers gave generously as they watched the young people pedal away on two static bikes.

It was a “great event” that taught the participants to “pull together as a team” – and they were left “amazed” at the amount of cash collected.

Team member Abigail Rudge, 17, of Worcester, said: “It was a fantastic event.

“As a team we learnt to work together and to really listen to each other, as well as to develop the skills to organise the event.

“We were cycling in 30 or 60 minute slots and at times we felt low on energy. But people were cheering us on and giving us lots of support, which gave us extra motivation to keep going.

“To raise that much money felt amazing – we were all so happy and really proud.”

The group have set a target of £1,000 in total and hope to raise the remaining funding through a cake sale and other fundraising events.

Jane Roberts, chief officer of Worcester Snoezelen, a multi-sensory leisure therapy centre for people who have disabilities and additional needs, added: “It is absolutely lovely of them to have fundraised for us and we are very grateful.

“The National Citizen Service scheme is a fantastic initiative and it is really nice to see young people of that age bracket being so enthusiastic and proactive.”

John Horsley, community life champion at Asda, said the store was pleased to help and congratulated the group on their fundraising achievement in support of an “incredible” charity.

The event took place on Wednesday, August 26, and Thursday, August 27, with £568 raised from shoppers and passers-by and £230 donated online.

To donate visit justgiving.com/Team-Horizon/