EIGHT staff from Open GI and PowerPlace have successfully completed a 50 mile bike ride, raising more than £1,300 for Libby Mae’s Little Angels, the charity that helps children born with heart defects.

The riders began and finished their cycle challenge in Kempsey, completing a circular route, which took just over four hours.

Having raised £1,325 so far with this fundraiser alone, the directors of the companies based in Buckholt Drive, Worcester, have pledged to donate an additional £7,500 to Libby Mae’s Little Angels if the fundraising target of £7,500 is reached. This approach saw a grand total of £17,061.61 successfully raised for Midlands Air Ambulance in 2013.

Charlotte Sharratt, founder and trustee of Libby Mae’s, said: "The effort that Open GI and PowerPlace staff are making in aid of our charity is overwhelming. We are so grateful to have such a large business supporting our cause and this is essential in continuing to make a difference to Neo-Natal Units throughout the Midlands.”

Chris Guillaume, group chief executive of Open GI, added: "I am delighted with the efforts being made by our staff in helping raise funds for such a worthwhile cause. This is the first time we’ve supported Libby Mae’s Little Angels as our corporate charity and we want to raise as much as we can. Fundraisers like this will hopefully help us to exceed our target and enable the charity to continue their fantastic work.”