A 79-year-old former Burley-in-Wharfedale man cycled all the way from his new home in Dorset back to Bradford to raise money for Kids for Kids.

Former submarine commander Graham Baynes was received at Bradford Cathedral, where he was welcomed by Canon Sam Corley and Patricia Parker, CEO of Kids for Kids.

Thanksgiving and prayers were said for Kids for Kids and Patricia gave up-to-date news about the work of the charity.

Graham, who was accompanied on his marathon cycle by Terry Holden, does a sponsored bike ride for Kids for Kids each year to help the charity.

Patricia said: “The creation of South Sudan has caused misery in Darfur where inflation has left children starving, but Graham Baynes has been cycling the length and breadth of England telling people they can make a difference.

“His bike rides have transformed hundreds of children’s lives. The simple loan of a goat helps a mother to feed her children. We mustn’t forget Sudan and Darfur, even if the rest of the world does.”

As well as loaning goats to families in need, the charity also provides training for midwives and healthworkers, funds donkeys for transportation across the desert, provides farm tools and repairs hand pumps to provide water.

The event coincided with the visit of two Bishops from Anglican dioceses in Sudan with which the Diocese of Bradford has a partnership. Bishop Ezekiel, from Khartoum, and Bishop Ismail, from El Obeid, spent ten days in Bradford to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the partnership.