COLLEAGUES at First Milk’s Haverfordwest Creamery in Merlin’s Bridge have helped cycle more than 5,800 kilometres during a fundraising challenge supporting Prostate Cancer UK.

The Bike the Hedgerows challenge saw teams across First Milk sites keep static bikes moving continuously for 24 hours from March 5 to March 6, with remote riders also contributing miles during the weekend.

Together they aimed to cycle the equivalent distance of the hedgerows found on dairy cooperative First Milk’s member farms, 5,564 kilometres. By the end of the noon-to-noon challenge, colleagues and supporters had cycled 5,884.08km in 5,564 minutes, exceeding the target by more than 320 kilometres.

So far, the challenge has raised over £2,000, helping take First Milk’s total fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK to over £16,000, with donations still continuing to come in.

Mark Brooking, First Milk’s Chief Impact Officer, said: “It’s been fantastic to see so many people get behind Bike the Hedgerows. Colleagues, members and community partners all played a role.

“Prostate cancer touches many families within farming and rural communities, so supporting the charity is something that means a great deal to people across First Milk. As a farmer-owned co-operative, we believe in supporting the communities we’re part of and backing charities that make a real difference.”

Bike the Hedgerows forms part of First Milk’s two-year partnership with Prostate Cancer UK, chosen by colleagues and members because many within the farming community have been affected by the disease. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with risk increasing for those over 50 or with a family history.

To help keep the wheels turning, creamery colleagues were supported by local businesses including S7 Fitness, Will Powders, J’s Muscle & Fitness, Tenby Penguins Swim & Tri Club, Nestlé UK & Ireland, Pembrokeshire Leisure and the Pembrokeshire Triathlon Community.