A TEAM of squash players swapped rackets for bicycles as they took on a 90 mile challenge to raise awareness of staff who help poorly babies.

The 21 friends cycled from Lexden Rackets and Fitness Club in Colchester to Moreton Hall Health Club in Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket Squash Club, Ipswich Squash Club, Colchester Officers Club and then back to Lexden.

They played a match at each of the five venues on the 91 mile route, taking on players at the clubs.

Gazette:

It was the second year the group had taken on the challenge in aid of Florence’s Heroes, a fund set up by Chris and Sarah Wheat.

Chris and Sarah’s daughter Florence was born six weeks prematurely.

She weighed just over 3lbs and was admitted to the neonatal unit at Colchester General Hospital.

At only a few days old she was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a build up of fluid on the brain, and not long after with congenital heart defects.

She spent the first 104 days of her life in hospital.

Mike Hegarty, who took part, said the challenge was to raise money for all the parties which had helped Florence.

He said: "So far almost £2,000 has been raised with more coming in, adding to the £5,165 raised last year for Florence’s Heroes.

"The day itself was great fun, it rained heavily early in the morning while the bikes were all being set up, but the day soon brightened and died everyone off.

"It ended up being a perfect day for a cycle - albeit a really tough cycle."

The Florence’s Heroes fund gives money to the neonatal unit at Colchester Hospital, the Acute Neonatal Transfer Service which specialises in the transportation of sick babies and the Royal Brompton Hospital.