Two men from Portavogie, County Down, raised £20,583 for Cancer Research UK by cycling 100 kilometres.

William Bailie and George Young, whose ages total 152 years, set off from Portavogie Primary School at 7.30am on Saturday, May 16. Volunteers organised a send-off with hot drinks and scones, and a welcome-home event with tea, coffee, and tray bakes. A Vinted Live sale was also held at the school during the day.

Both men have personal experience of cancer. Mr Bailie’s sister died of breast cancer, while Mr Young’s wife has been living with ovarian cancer for three years.

Bucket collections at shops along the route added to the total raised. Mr Bailie said the community’s support was essential. The pair had initially hoped to reach £10,000, but donations quickly surpassed £15,000 before reaching the final figure.

They plan to repeat the challenge next year, aiming to raise more. Mr Bailie, who will be 76, said he has been training on Sundays.