TWO youngsters from Maiden Newton are celebrating after completing an epic charity cycle and smashing their fundraising target.

Brother and sister East and Phulmaya rode 80 miles from Bath back to their home village to raise funds for Cancer Reseach UK.

They chose to raise money for the charity after losing members of their family to cancer, including seven-year-old cousin Sam.

Beaminster school pupil East, 13, and Phulmaya, 10, a pupil a Greenford Primary School, were joined on the ride by mum Natasha and supported by Sam’s dad Nick, who is recovering from cancer treatment himself, and his wife Clare.

After setting off from Bath they visited Sam’s grave at Somerton along the way before eventually arriving to a party back in Maiden Newton to celebrate their arrival.

Mum Natasha said she was very proud of her children for their efforts.

She said: “They were fantastic I have to say, they barely complained once and they just gritted their teeth and carried on with it all.

“They both came out saying what a beautiful cycle ride it was and really enjoyed the different landscapes we rode through.”

Natasha said the toughest stage of the ride was when they had to climb Ham Hill in South Somerset having already cycled 60 miles.

But there were other bits they enjoyed such as riding down Cheddar Gorge.

The youngsters, who are both keen on sports, were deservedly welcomed back in style when they got back to Maiden Newton.

The pair had aimed to raise £1,000 for their chosen charity but have already raised around £2,400 with more donations still to come in.

To sponsor Phulmaya and East for their efforts visit justgiving.com/PhulyandEastsBikeRide2014