A GROUP of cyclists from Oxfordshire who battled through heat and mountain sickness have raised £71,000 for abandoned orphans in Kenya.

Ten friends took part in a five-day, 250-mile challenge through central and southern Kenya, facing temperatures of 35C, low oxygen levels across high terrain, and strong headwinds.

They were nearly forced to abandon their attempt when their safety truck got stuck in mud 8,500ft up Mount Kenya until a tractor towed it out.

Gay Goodall, 59, from Warborough, said the trek had been “brutal and relentless” despite the fact she had undergone an intensive training programme.

She said: “While our planning included months of preparation following strict fitness routines to increase our stamina, we were not prepared for some of the challenges we faced.

“Even our guide remarked that conditions were the worst he had experienced anywhere in the world.”

But she said the pain was worth the sight of the young orphan girls holding out the finishing tape at the Kenya Children Centre’s Ngoingwa Centre for Good Future.

The girls provided lunch and dinner, as well as a display of African dancing, tribal songs and recitals.

Mrs Goodall, whose late husband and former Reading FC player Bernard founded the centre, said: “It was definitely worth it as the girls were very excited to see us and showed their appreciation by providing some wonderful entertainment.

“They are all turning into extremely confident and educated young ladies, and we look forward to seeing one of them go off to university soon to study for a law degree.”

The other cyclists were Liz and Wilf Eaton, Penny Astrop, Nick Gough, Louise McCann and Peter Mullin, from Warborough; Ruth Sutton, from Didcot; Carol Pedrick, from Wallingford; and Joy Holmes, from Benson.

The rescue centre and health clinic officially opened last year following years of fundraising by people in Oxfordshire.

It provides round-the-clock care for 120 girls and also treats local people and provides a community centre for them.

Without it, many of the orphans could end up abused, uneducated, destitute or working in the sex industry.

Now the charity wants to build accommmodation for 40 more girls.

People can donate by visiting the charity’s website kenyachildrencentres.com A recent Unicef report says Kenya will have up to 53,000 abandoned orphaned girls under the age of 15 by 2010 with no relatives to care for them.