CYCLISTS who travelled from Newport and through Monmouth have raised £23,000 for an eye cancer charity.

Volunteers from Vision Express stores across the country took part in the 200 mile cycle challenge Ride4Sight, which saw them travel from the Newport Vision Express store on September 16 up to Monmouth, before travelling across the Wye Valley and into England.

The two day journey took the cyclists through many towns before finishing at the company’s headquarters in Nottingham a day later.

Young eye cancer survivors, who are ambassadors for the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT), joined the cyclists at stops along the way, to offer support and help boost the team’s morale.

Ten-year-old Esme Eagle Davies, who was diagnosed with retinoblastoma before her first birthday, greeted the team at the store in Monmouth.

She said: “I was really excited to welcome the riders. CHECT has been there to support me ever since I was first diagnosed.”

More than 35 employees completed the feat, which raised £23,000 for CHECT.

For more information on the charity and retinoblastoma visit chect.org.uk.