FOUR free-wheeling foster carers completed their challenging coast to coast charity bike ride today (Thursday, September 18).

The group – Brian Foulger, Gary Chatterje, Adrian Wakefield and David Pennock – began on Monday at Whitehaven in Cumbria and finished their four-day ride at Redcar.

And they were welcomed back with a lemon top ice-cream when fellow foster carers greeted them on the seafront.

The 150-mile ride was arranged by the four to raise funds for Middlesbrough Foster Carers Association – a charity organisation run for and by carers and approved by Middlesbrough Council.

Together with their wives, the four have all been looking after children on both a short and long term basis for four years.

Councillor Jan Brunton, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Education and Skills, welcomed them back.

She said: “The Middlesbrough Foster Carers Association is a fantastic cause which does such good work in funding and organising events for our young people and the families they live with.

“It offers positive life experiences through Christmas parties, camping trips and barbecues, and Brian, Gary, Adrian and David should be applauded for this fantastic effort in raising money and awareness of both the association and fostering itself.”