THREE Glasgow cyclists who pedalled 1000 miles have raised more than £11,000 for charity.

Stuart Macdougall, Bryan Marshall, 34, and Andy Russell, 36, completed the epic challenge when they cycled for 11 days from Calais, in France, to Barcelona, Spain.

As reported in the Evening Times earlier this year, the trio will donate the money to Yorkhill Children's Charity, which funds essential research and equipment at Yorkhill Hospital – a place which is close to their hearts.

At the age of seven, Stuart, now 29, from Muirend, was given life-saving treatment at Yorkhill after suffering from liver and kidney failure, and an inability to bend either of his legs.

The two-year-old daughter of his friend Eric Kielty, was also treated in the hospital in December 2010 and January 2011 after being diagnosed with leukemia.

Little Ellie, from Ruther-glen, is now on the road to recovery, but still attends Yorkhill occasionally.

The pals' route saw them cover an average of 100 miles per day and included the 21 hairpin corners of Tour de France climbing section the famous L'Alpe d'Huez.

They also had to overcome severe dehydration, hazardous city navigation, and cycling through rural France in the dark.

While they were cycling the team, which included technical support from Gerry Doyle, 33, kept a blog to keep followers at home updated with progress.

Stuart said one of the most difficult days was 'Day 10' when they were cycling in the area around Narbonne until 9pm.

Arriving exhausted in the city they faced problems trying communicating with the French-speaking locals, then had to cut their mileage short for the day – meaning extra miles the following day.

But as well as the hard times, the route offered stunning scenery.

Stuart said Grenoble, in the southeast of France, as the most picturesque city he has ever been to.

He said: "The trip was difficult, but it was some experience.

"We are over the moon to have raised so much. It has been so well received and will make a big difference. It was pretty gruelling but it was worth it."

matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk