Business leaders swapped their briefcases for bikes when they raised more than £1,000 for The Peace Hospice.

Members of the networking group BNI Junction completed a 12 mile route across Watford, starting and finishing at the White House Hotel, in Upton Road.

The route took them through the town towards Rickmansworth before returning along the Grand Union Canal towpath and Cassiobury Park.

The sponsored event, which took place on Sunday, September 12, raised a total of £1,600.

BNI Junction meets over breakfast every Friday at the hotel, and has now generated more than £1million of business between members.

The youngest cyclist to take part in the bike ride was nine-year-old Katherine Hayes, the daughter of BNI’s plumber, Phil Hayes, of PJ Heating Ltd, of St. Albans Road She completed the course despite struggling with only one working gear on her bicycle.

Mike Cole, the chapter director from Imagine estate agents, made the Peace Hospice his chosen charity for his tenure in office and following the cycle ride, BNI Junction will have donated more than £7,600 to the hospice in the past six months.

Another BNI member, Nathalie Lewis, from Life Magazine, is also taking part in the hospice’s forthcoming Strictly Come Hospice dance event.

Mike said: “It’s great being charitable, but it’s especially rewarding to be charitable locally where we can really see the benefits. The Peace Hospice needs financial support more than ever. BNI Junction is aware of that and doing all it can to support its chosen charity.”

BNI Junction’s incoming chapter director, Dave Henderson, of SE Connor locksmiths, based in Leavesden Road, plans to continue the group's support for the Hospice.

For more information about BNI Junction, telephone founding member Dawn Ayres on 01923 815932 or email dawn@busheyhallgarage.co.uk.