THREE cycling partners have raised cash for a North-East children's heart unit which cared for a friend’s baby daughter, who has since sadly died.

Andrew Warner, 32 of Bearpark, near Durham, David Park, 29, of Langley Park and Jamie Bolam, 36 , of Stanley, raised £1,700 through a 70-mile ride in aid of the Children's Heart Unit at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.

They raised a further £800 at charity fight night featuring mixed martial arts at Bearpark Workingmen’s Club.

Mr Warner said: "A close friend Steve Gilchrist’s baby girl Poppy was quite poorly.

“She was born with a heart defect and had to undergo a number of operations. She was waiting for heart transplant but sadly died weeks ago, before a donor could be found.

“We wanted to do something to give something back and to raise awareness for the unit. They are doing a fantastic job.”

Mr Warner added: “We would like to say a big thank you to Sunderland AFC for donating a signed football strip and photograph which we sold at a raffle.”

Mr Warner, a forklift driver, is no stranger to sponsored cycle rides. He was recently joined by Mr Park in a 140-mile Coast-to-Coast cycle, raising £700 for St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham and took part in the Durham Big Ride raising £109 for Deerness Kennels.