AIRMEN kept their feet firmly on the ground when they pushed themselves to the limit to help two causes close to their hearts.

A team of catering personnel from RAF Leeming, near Bedale, took part in a 24-hour spinathon and managed to cover more than 585 miles between them.

Their furious pedalling was raising money for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and the Christies Hospice in Manchester.

The team of 18 - which included RAF personnel of all ranks as well as civilians - completed the challenge on two bikes with hourly rotations and raised more than £200.

Sergeant Tony Belcher - who completed six hours - said: “It was an absolutely fantastic effort by everyone involved.

"It was great to get involved and show we don’t just turn and burn in the kitchen and that we can get out and do something like this as well. There were a few sore bodies the next day, but once we have recovered we will look to do more in the future.”

The officer commanding the base support wing, Wing Commander Jon Crennell, went along to the event to lend his support.

“Team work and fitness are core skills in the Royal Air Force,” he said. “It is great to see personnel honing these skills and using them for such worthy causes.”