A THREE DAY charity cycle covering 516 miles didn't faze four Clackmannanshire fitness enthusiasts.

Alex Potter, Simon Paxford, Michael Empson and Marnie McLuckie covered the distance, including a gruelling 2821ft of total climbs at gradients of up to 12 per cent, in France.

The team – who are part of Brass Monkey Events, which organises mud runs and cycling events across Scotland – started in Le Mans, with the first section of the ride down to the famous Mulsanne Straight.

Following that they looped north of Le Mans around Alencon, travelled south across the beautiful Loire Valley, saw fantastic scenery at Futuroscope Poiters and finished up by heading towards Limoges.

Although it was a challenging course, the cracking scenery along the way made the effort worthwhile.

Alex said: "There was some serious hills. We were kind of cycling along at the foot of the Alps at one point, so there was some serious inclines."

The feat saw them raise a total of £1022.25 which was presented to Play Alloa, a provider of play and social opportunities for children and adults with disabilities and additional support needs, last week.

The friends were keen to give to a local charity and felt the organisation fitted nicely with their ethos.

Alex said: "When we found out what they did and it was just allowing kids to, no pressure, just play and enjoy themselves and that kind of reflects what we do.

"We go about the country and enter these events and now we've actually ran an event [McTough Guy obstacle course]. 

"What we want to do is play and for people to come and play on our course if they like.

"It just seemed like a great fit. Strangely enough, since we've spoken to Play Alloa, they're actually going to build a mud kitchen for the kids with the money we've given them. It's so apt.

"We roll about in mud every other weekend doing obstacle course racing and they're putting together this mud kitchen, which is brilliant."

Play Alloa project manager, Maria Malcolm, said: "This amazing and unexpected donation will go towards developing a mud kitchen in the Play Alloa garden. 

"We are hoping to concentrate on developing our outdoor play facilities this year so it couldn't have come at a better time. We are really excited about the opportunities this will give our children in terms of sensory and imaginative play experiences. 

"We have already secured funding to secure a new shed, raised beds, a sensory area and a wooden wigwam so the donation will complete our plans with funds for the mud kitchen and additional garden items. We genuinely can't thank the team enough."

Thanks is given to all who donated, to the masonic lodges across the county for contributing and to Stevie at Mayfield Motors for his help and support.