Pidy, the Belgian pastry products business, organised a 270-mile bike ride from Northampton to Ypres, Belgium, with 28 amateur cyclists raising over 20k for the homeless charity, Northampton Hope Centre (an official figure is yet to be confirmed).

This was the third consecutive year that the ‘Ride 4 Hope’ event has been held, with the route starting from Northampton’s University and finishing four days later at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

The riders were treated to a celebration dinner upon arrival before a tour of the Pidy factory in Ypres, a buffet of canapés and small plates created using products in the company’s range.

Robert Whittle, general manager of Pidy UK and part of the team of cyclists, commented:

“Ride 4 Hope 2016 was a truly fantastic experience and a great way to raise money to support the exceptional work done by the Northampton Hope Centre. This year we had more riders than we have ever had before and I am pleased to say that each and every one of them did themselves proud by completing this challenge.

“It’s no small ask to cover this sort of distance in the saddle, especially as we are all amateur. We’ve already started to plan the 2017 event, at which we’re hoping to attract 50 riders to join us.”