Evening Herald motoring editor Hilary Vivian has described her four-day charity cycle in Poland as the most rewarding and challenging experience of her life.

Her bike ride, which started on September 13, raised £4,000 in sponsorship for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The amount surpassed her expectations twice over - and she only stopped collecting due to work commitments. Overall donations reached £180,000.

The 280-mile tour ended with a memorable police escort into the Polish capital, Warsaw.

Many of the cyclists had travelled from all points across Europe for the fund-raiser, something Hilary felt benefited the cause.

She said: "The diversity in age and nationality was definitely a plus. It complemented what was already a picturesque setting."

The only issue of concern lay with her stamina.

She said: "The route was relatively flat but I could have worked harder on my fitness."

The 80 volunteers involved in the bike ride received encouraging support throughout their adventure, and there was a groundswell of local support in the Westcountry where she lives.

She said: "It was good to see locals waving from their gates and the regional television exposure."

Marie Curie Cancer Care provides care for thousands of cancer patients in their own homes and at 10 hospices across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its scientists are providing hope by searching for a cure at the Marie Curie Research Institute.