Whitworth Vale & Healey Band will make a trip to the 50th anniversary of the twinning celebrations of the German town of Kandel in Germany, thanks to putting in miles and miles of cycle power — although in reality the hardy participants didn't move an inch.

On your bikes

The band will make the journey in August to perform two concerts, but first needed to raise funds for accommodation, travel and transportation.

As a result a 450 mile sponsored bike ride was undertaken — although thanks to some quick thinking, it was all done on special exercise machines!

The virtual reality route saw the flags of England, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Germany flown in celebration as the cyclists racked up the miles/kilometers — with the riders so good at their challenge that they even made the journey back — making a grand total of 900 miles and raising over £1,000 in the process.

The event was a fantastic success, and we were amazed by the support, the donations and the number of people who wanted to give it a go!Whitworth Vale & Healey Band

Willing riders

48 willing riders took part, including Senior and Youth Band members, supporters, parents and even a new resident of Whitworth who has only lived in the area for a few weeks.

The fund raising idea was organised by band member Aaron Wolfe, and youth band supporter Paul Johnson, who told 4BR: "The event was a fantastic success, and we were amazed by the support, the donations and the number of people who wanted to give it a go!

It was a great opportunity for everyone to join together for what now promises to be a fantastic trip for the band."