Last updated at 12:27, Friday, 31 August 2012

A group of friends from Maryport who climbed Ben Nevis and then cycled 325 miles were forced to abandon their charity challenge 28 miles from the finish line.

CHARITY TEAM: From left: Matthew Todd, Garry Mounsey, Craig Miller, Ryan Hughes, Mark Mawson and Justin Irving at Fort William. Missing from the picture are Stephen Hughes, Tony Burns and John Morgan

Nine former Glasson Rugby League players were due to finish the journey in Inverness last Friday but had to stop after their support van, driven by John Morgan, was hit by a car.

John was taken to hospital and the van and attached trailer were written off.

John was taken in an ambulance to a nearby hospital where he was kept in for two hours to check his back and knee.

He has twisted the bottom of his spine and will need further X-rays and physiotherapy.

He said: “I pulled off the road with the van to let the lads know where the next stop would be. We were on the last leg and we had arranged for a piper to pipe us into Inverness.

“I thought the car was going to clip the wing mirror but it hit the trailer, went up in the air and went back into the van.

“I was devastated that we had to abandon it. We all were.”

Garry Mounsey, Craig Miller, Mark Mawson, Tony Burns, Matthew Todd, Stephen and Ryan Hughes and Justin Irving took part in the challenge.

They all climbed Ben Nevis on August 19 and the next day set off from Fort William on their bikes, with John driving the van, lent to them by Mayson Bros Ltd, of Whitehaven.

They set themselves a target to raise between £5,000 and £7,000 for Breast Cancer Care.

Craig said: “We are looking to do the last 28 miles locally when we get the gear back and will invite everyone to join us.”

Mark added: “We couldn’t have done it without the support of local people and our families. We hope people will continue to support us.”

They said they had received a lot of calls from people concerned about John after the crash and that they were amazed by the support they had on the trip.

In one pub they went into for a meal all the staff donated their tips to the charity and in another cafe they were given free tea and coffee.

Craig said: “Apart from the crash we are all really pleased we did it.”

The group had borrowed the trailer from Maryport Boys’ and Girls’ Club and are asking anyone who can lend the club a trailer until it can be replaced to call Ryan Hughes on 07933469216.

To sponsor the group, visit www. justgiving.com/craigmiller3

First published at 11:54, Friday, 31 August 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk