SUBMARINERS from the Royal Navy raised money for a Suffolk hospital with an underwater bike ride.The men from HMS Vengeance, based in Scotland but affiliated with Bury St Edmunds Sea Cadets, raised £300 for West Suffolk Hospital by riding around the coast of Britain aboard a submarine.

SUBMARINERS from the Royal Navy raised money for a Suffolk hospital with an underwater bike ride.

The men from HMS Vengeance, based in Scotland but affiliated with Bury St Edmunds Sea Cadets, raised £300 for West Suffolk Hospital by riding around the coast of Britain aboard a submarine.

A cycling machine in the submarine gym was used to cycle thousands of miles to raise money for charity.

Lieutenant Andrew De La Rue said: "While we are at sea we still have to maintain a high level of fitness, and decided that a sponsored cycle ride was a great way of keeping fit and raising money for a good cause at the same time.

"The idea was to simulate riding around the coast of Britain, so we certainly covered a few miles!"

The money will be given to the Rainbow Ward, which cares for sick children.

Ann Robinson, acting ward manager, said: "We are very grateful to the men of HMS Vengeance for raising this money for us.

"We have had some interesting fundraisers in the past, but this is definitely the first time someone has raised money by cycling on a submarine!

"We have not yet decided what to spend the money on, but whatever we decide it will be used to make life more pleasant and stimulating for the children we look after on Rainbow Ward."