A Chartered Financial Planner’s employees joined with hundreds of others to help raise over £1m to fight cancer by taking part in a gruelling cycle ride.

Natasha Oliver and Pippa Ellis, of Cambridgeshire-based Beacon Wealth Management, raised just under £2,000 between them in the Women v Cancer 100km London Night Ride on Saturday.

Their fund-raising haul was added to the £1.62m raised by 1,500 cyclists at the event.

A spokeswoman said: “Despite the relentless hours of thunder, torrential rain and wind, Pippa Ellis and Natasha Oliver rode the storm and still managed to have smiles on their faces across the finish line when they completed the 104km cycle ride round London for Women V Cancer in 6 hours and 1 minute.

“Approximately 1,500 women took part in the ride on 26 May and many suffered injury and punctures in the awful weather.”

The London Night Ride has been running since 2010 and raises funds for three female cancer charities: Breast Cancer Care, Ovarian Cancer Action and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.