A pharmaceutical wholesaler has raised over £55,000 for charity after its staff completed a bicycle ride from the UK to France. 

Alliance Healthcare praised eight of its staff members from its UK and France offices for completing the 300-mile Tour D’Alliance bicycle ride from June 13 –15. 

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The £55,000 has been donated to Theodora Children’s Charity, which supports the wellbeing of children in hospitals through laughter with its Giggle Doctor programme. 

Alliance’s operation vice-president Matt Addison said he is “proud of the team” for persevering through “every painful pedal” to “raise as much as possible to help young children and their families during the most difficult times”. 

“The sponsorship and support has been incredible,” he added. “Over £55,000 raised for Theodora Children’s Charity is an amazing amount. 

Theodora’s senior community and communications fundraiser Ellen Blessington praised the cyclists and said the fundraising will support “over 2,400 children” who will be a recipient of a Giggle Doctor visit. 

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She added: “Being ill and needing medical treatment is difficult at any point in life, but when you are a child, it can be particularly confusing and frightening. 

“From all of us at Theodora Children’s Charity, including our Giggle Doctors, our heartfelt thanks go to the cyclists, drivers, sponsors and everyone who made this challenge possible!” 

The eight Alliance staff set off from Alliance’s Chessington offices in Surrey and finished at its France headquarters in Paris where Theodora founder André Poulie met them at the finish line. 

Donations were raised through a teddy bear plush toy photo competition as well as through through sponsors. 

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Since the Tour D’Alliance fundraiser has begun, it has raised over £230,000 for charities. 

It comes after an Alliance driver development coach won three medals at the European Transplant Sport Championships in August.