Elephants, bats and tropical storms

From there they completed the 450km route in six days, cycling off the beaten track and following the Periyar River through rural villages, around tea and spice plantations, rice fields and lagoons as well as mountains.

Throughout the ride the group had to contend with large fruit bats as well as encountering the occasional elephant.

They also had to contend with the tropical weather with searing heat and humidity.

Katie, 36, manager of the Snitterfield Arms, said: “Myself and John completed something similar in 2014 when we went to Malawi. I’ve always wanted to do something different for charity, especially as there are many people within our village and, who both John and I know personally, that have been touched by the care that Myton Hospice offer.”

The challenge required plenty of training from the trio. They covered between 150 and 200 miles a week to prepare.

Katie added: “Before we went to Malawi, I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was 15, but the overall sense of achievement and the lifelong friends you gain make it all worthwhile.”

Myton Hospice needs to raise over £8 million annually to provide its services free of charge across all three hospices and relies entirely on donations.

Vicky Whitlock, challenge events co-ordinator, said: “We cannot thank our Kerala team enough for all the hard work they have put in both fundraising and training for this event, we think they are just amazing.”

Myton is also grateful to Lynne Tucker from The Leisure Traveller who helped organise the event and took part herself.

This year, the annual cycle challenge for Myton Hospice will be a 350km ride from Vietnam to Cambodia.

Lasting six days, participants will be raising vitally important funds for Myton in conjunction with being able to explore Vietnam and Cambodia.

For more information call the events team on 01926 838 827, or e-mail vicky.whitlock@mytonhospice.org