Colleagues and shoppers at The Midcounties Co-operative Food store in Kingswinford were put through their paces after cycling more than 100 miles to raise more than £750 for two local charities.

An exercise bike was installed in store for the charity challenge, which took place over four days and saw colleagues from the Post Office, Food and Travel branches pedalling for charity.

The funds will be donated to White House Cancer Support Group and a local employment charity, Just Straight Talk.

Shoppers also had the opportunity to win a hamper filled with products from local suppliers including Easter eggs and an Easter egg hunt kit with a ‘Guess How Many Sweets in the Jar’ competition.

White House Cancer Support, based in Dudley, will put the funds towards its weekly activities including yoga, art and cookery classes for people that have been diagnosed with cancer as well as their families and carers.

Just Straight Talk, a community project that helps vulnerable people living across the Black Country to access help and return to work, will also benefit from its share of the funding.

The charity helps people in difficult situations to find work, by offering help with CVs, application forms, and interview practice.

The activity forms part of The Midcounties Co-operative’s charity partner programme. White House Cancer Support and Just Straight Talk were named Midcounties’ charity partners in Sedgley and Dudley earlier this year, and colleagues and members will fundraise for the charities over the next two years.

Kate Beale, Project Manager at Just Straight Talk said: “We work with people in difficult situations living in the Black Country, helping them to succeed in life and work.

"We provide a range of practical advice, support and mentoring, to boost self esteem and enable people to change their lives.

“Donations like this make our work possible, and we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone involved.”

Gregg Seymour, a Leadership Team Ambassador at The Midcounties Co-operative in Sedgley and Dudley, said: “It was fantastic to see everyone involved on the day, pedalling miles and miles to raise money for two very worthy causes.

“White House Cancer Support and Just Straight Talk both offer life changing support for people living right across the Black Country. We’re proud to have these charities as our partners, and look forward to supporting them over the next two years.”