The top brass at Newton Abbot's Somerfield store have put in a polished performance to raise thousands of pounds for the Association of Children's Hospices. Store manager Nigel Bridgeman and divisional manager Peter Thorp undertook a three-day sponsored cycle ride from Crediton to Dartmouth via east Devon and Torbay. Their efforts formed the regional link in a cycle ride chain that extends from Hampshire to Cornwall. Overall, managers from 200 stores are taking part and the division in which the Newton Abbot store is included has raised £8,000 to date. but with the marathon ride still in progress and a competition ongoing much more is expected to come in. 'For a contribution of 50p customers in each store can estimate the mileage and those who come closest will win a bottle of champagne,' said Mr Bridgeman. Staff have organised fancy dress days, raffles and other events to help swell the coffers and Mr Bridgeman said the ride had provided its ups and downs. 'In places it was scary, particularly in Exeter and on the Ashburton to Totnes road where the traffic was very threatening,' he said. 'The hardest part was near Sidmouth where the hill was so steep we were pulling wheelies in first gear.' Better times were had in Totnes however where a piper greeted the riders in and in Dartmouth where staff lined the route and placed a finishing tape across the road. 'After climbing up above Brixham and then enjoying the mile and a half downhill to the River Dart we all thought, wow, what an achievement and what a way to finish,' said Mr Bridgeman.