THREE young cyclists who raised £4,800 for Butterwick Hospice have been recognised as inspirational young people of the year at an award ceremony.

Brothers Andrew and James Lunn and their friend Marcus Weston, from Richmond School and Sixth Form College were presented with the award from Youth Focus: North East.

The award recognises the accomplishments of the youngsters who conceived and achieved the cycling challenge of Richmond, Surrey to Richmond, North Yorkshire, to support the work of the North-East’s Butterwick Hospice.

Andrew, 11, and James, 13, cycled the full 300 miles, in five days, while, Marcus, also 13, who has Cardio Facio Cutaneous Syndrome, cycled 30 miles, one each day around the school car park, on his adapted tricycle.

James said he had read in the newspaper about the Butterwick Hospice losing money through fraud and decided to do something about it.

Emma Abbott, youth support worker at Youth Focus: North East, said: “The boys think it’s only a bike ride, but for showing determination and motivation it will inspire a lot of young people to consider a challenge. I would be shouting from the rooftops about what they’ve done. It’s amazing, they should be really proud of themselves.”

The boys also received the Chairman's Award from Richmond Cycling Club.