A Ponteland woman has completed a gruelling 270-mile cycling challenge.

Emma Turnball took on the challenge of pedElle 2021, which saw her cycle through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and the Forest of Bowland.

The associate director of at Avison Young, Newcastle, was determined to complete the challenge and raise vital funds for Coram, the UK's oldest children's charity.

Avison Young was one of the main sponsors of the event, which was initially set to go from Vienna to Budapest in early June of last year but the route had to be relocated to the UK due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The three-day challenge covered 270 miles, and Emma and the other cyclists climbed over 23,000ft, through some of the country's most breathtaking scenery.

Organisers of pedElle, Club Peloton, were able to bring pedEllers back together after a two-year hiatus, to promote women in the real estate industry and raise much-needed funds for Coram and other essential charities.

So far, the pedEllers have raised a massive £35,000 with donations still flowing in response to recounts of their gruelling challenge.

Emma said: "As a keen triathlete, I train all year with our Tri Club and on the turbo trainer in the winter. Living in Northumberland, I’m no stranger to hills but this challenge tested my resilience and took me well beyond my comfort zone.

"It’s fair to say that 100 miles over 10,000 ft in the Lake District on Day 1 left me exhausted with two days left to go!

“The fantastic company of a group of inspirational women kept me going, spurred on by the fact that it was all to raise funds for youngsters who are less advantaged. Being able to help those less fortunate than us made it even more fulfilling, whilst also raising the profile of women in the real estate industry.”

Emma has also said how she was proud to be the Avison Young UK representative, supporting PedElle and Club Peloton.

Ros Goode, principal of Avison Young, said: “PedElle is a fantastic event – providing important funding for a very worthy cause, as well as offering professional women in our industry the opportunity to network, socialise and bond in person, after nearly two years of being largely apart.”