A group of 33 cyclists raised £775 for Bay Hospitals Charity by riding from coast to coast over two days.

Money raised by the ‘Coronary Coasters’ in their ride from South Shields to Morecambe will be used to support the Coronary Care Unit at Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

The ride was organised by prolific Bay Hospitals Charity supporter Ian Mercer, who has raised more than £60,000 for the charity with a series of adventures.

Ian said: “We had such a brilliant coast-to coast ride and I’m so proud of everybody.

“We got 30-odd people to the finish and they should be so chuffed with themselves. We had a great support team helping us out.

“We had really tough conditions on the second day, especially with 40mph winds from Kirkby Steven to Sedbergh, they should be so proud of themselves getting to the finish line.

“Hopefully everyone will join us again next year.”

Ian was inspired to raise funds for Lancaster’s Coronary Care Unit after losing three close family members – mother-in-law Audrey Ingle, uncle Tony Bowker and mum Margaret Mercer - in 2007.

Since then he has been a tireless fund-raiser for Bay Hospitals Charity and involved dozens of friends and family members in his adventures.

Achievements include the annual coast-to-coast bike ride, four completions of the national three peaks challenge and cycling the length of the Pyrenees. He cycled from Land’s End to John o’Groats, stopping on the way to climb Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis, completing the entire journey in less than five days. And in 2012 he marked Olympic year by completing five challenges for the five Olympic rings - marathons in London, Lancaster and Windermere, the Yorkshire Three Peaks race and the national Three Peaks.

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust Non-Executive Director Adrian Leather said: “Well done to the Coronary Coasters for another amazing effort in aid of Bay Hospitals Charity.

“It sounds like the group had a great time despite the difficult conditions, and their achievement will make a big difference to patients on the RLI’s Coronary Care Unit.”

Funds raised by the ride are being split equally between Bay Hospitals Charity and Animal Care.

Bay Hospitals Charity funds the latest equipment for University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust to help make patients more comfortable and ensure they get the best possible care and treatment. To donate and support your local NHS hospital, contact Bay Hospitals Charity on 01524 516064 or email <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>

To donate to the coast-to-coast fund-raising effort, contact him at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>

Next year’s Coast to Coast ride will take place on June 10 and 11, with a route from Lindisfarne to Morecambe via Newcastleton. To sign up email <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>. Entrants will be asked to pay a £40 non-refundable deposit to enter.