Charity Pedal Power

United Utilities employees successfully cycled the length of Britain’s longest canal in a unique fundraising challenge.

Five gas engineers used pedal power to travel the 127 miles along the Liverpool to Leeds canal for charity.

Adam Stephenson, 42, United Utilities network operations manager, organised the fundraiser.

He said: “The challenge was a lot harder than any of us envisaged. During the first day progress was slow and extremely hard work. The weather was poor and in some parts we couldn’t get along the towpath so we had to make detours.

“On the second day progress was a lot quicker and we were delighted to arrive at Leeds train station. We were exhausted. It was the hardest but also most rewarding challenge we have ever done.”

The team were raising money for the Caudwell Charitable Trust which provides specialist care for children with disabilities.

The Trust has given fantastic support to United Utilities network operations manager Richard Hynes-Cooper and his son Oliver, four, who suffers from autism.

United Utilities has agreed to donate £1,000 to the final fundraising total which stands at more than £2,000.