RAISING money for Red Nose Day is in the blood of Sainsbury's staff and this year is no different.

For Comic Relief 2017, the dedicated team at the Friar Street supermarket decided to take on an epic cycling challenge outside the entrance to the shop.

The staff have been peddling for charity all day in an effort to raise funds for a worthy cause, while shoppers inside continue to buy Red Nose Day merchandise, including mugs, scratch cards and of course the infamous red noses.

Store manager for Sainsbury's Friar Street, Adam Thompson, said: "Sainsbury's are the key sponsor in terms of supermarkets for Comic Relief. That relationship started in 1996 and last year we raised nearly £13million for Comic Relief and we plan to beat that target this year.

"Each store sets a target of how they will raise money and we thought this would be really fun way to engage with the public and get people to donate.

Reading Chronicle:

"As well as the bike ride today, we have been selling scratch cards for the last three weeks, which are £1 each and every card has a prize and the £1 goes to Comic Relief.

"Of course we sell red noses as well, which are hugely popular with schoolchildren.

"Today we have had two bikes at the front of the store with the support of Anytime Fitness. For every mile we ride today they will donate 50p.

"There are about a dozen of us spending time on the bike today and we are taking it in turns to do half an hour stints."

Among those fundraising for Sainsbury's today was Pam, who retires today after more than three decades of working behind the checkouts.

She added: "I did my cycle earlier in my uniform. It is wonderful to be able to raise money for charity and I was happy to volunteer.

"Today is a special day for me because I will be leaving Sainsbury's after 33 years. It has been a pleasure to work here and I have always been at this store and I will miss it."

Are you celebrating Red Nose Day 2017? If you are fundraising for Comic Relief, send in your pictures to news@readingchronicle.co.uk or tweet us at @rdgchronicle with your pictures.