BIG-hearted students took to the saddle to help a young girl's long fight against cancer.

Northallerton College sixth-formers braved thunderstorms and steep gradients to complete the gruelling 144-mile coast-to-coast cycle ride from Workington to Sunderland.

Their efforts raised £3,300 for charity, half of which they have presented to the Fight for Life Fund, to help children like Naomi Savage, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of four.

Currently in remission, the eight year old Romanby School girl has undergone three major brain operations and 28 sessions of intensive chemotherapy, which has affected her vision.

She joined students with her mum Lucy to collect the donation, which will help finance crucial research into brain tumours.

The rest of the funds will be donated to MacMillan Cancer Care, in memory of a friend’s mother who died from the disease.

Sixteen students and four staff spent three days in torrential rain riding the marathon in July, camping overnight.

The event was organised by 17-year-old sixth formers Emma Curtis, of Thrintoft; Rachel Padgett, of Northallerton and Ellie Pearson, of Romanby.

"The weather was so awful," said Rachel. "I wanted to cry – and did once – but we are all great friends which helped us keep going. We were also spurred on by the great causes we were supporting and are thrilled with the amount we raised."

Naomi’s mum Lucy, who has raised £30,000 for research, added: "I think they are all amazing and I am so grateful.

"Insufficient funding for brain tumour research is a major reason for poor survival rates. Naomi is in remission now but we take life one day at a time."