TWO Chepstow women have completed their challenge to cycle from London to Paris - helping to raise a staggering £25,000 for charity.

Julie Lord, 52, of Chepstow and Jo Cann, 51, of Devauden were part of Team Nick along with three other Cann family members who rode the 325 miles.

The team left on May 10 to raise money for Stroke Association, a charity which works directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers.

Mrs Cann's husband Nick who is the chief executive of IFP had a stroke in March 2013, when he was 50-years-old.

The Argus previously reported how the team had hoped to raise around £14,500 but their challenge saw them go way beyond this.

Speaking about the challenge Ms Lord, a financial planner at Towry, said: "It was fantastic, we started riding at 7am on the Wednesday and by 4pm on the Thursday we were in Paris. It was roughly the time we we're aiming for.

"We are absolutely delighted with the money we have raised, never in our wildest dreams did we think we would reach that amount. My initial target was £3,000."

She added: "The money will be put towards organising a stroke victim’s contact group for people who have speech impediments. It's difficult for stroke victims to communicate, especially with other people finishing their sentences for them."

The team have raised £25,300 from sponsorship, donations and by hosting a dinner in London which raised £8,000.

Ms Lord said: "We are taking part in the Dragon Ride at the weekend which will be from Margam Park to the Brecon Beacons. We've both caught the riding bug."