A team from Ashby's Castle Medical Group finished first in the corporate category at Sunday's Staunton Harold Duathlon.

Dr Nil Sanganee, Dr Pradeep Krishnamurthy and ANP Tanya Collins braved the elements to complete the course in a time of 1hour 50mins and were placed sixth overall.

They say the support for their efforts has been incredible, raising over 950 so far for the 'Friends of Castle Medical Group Charity' - almost doubling their original target sum of £500.

The run was on closed roads and trail through the estate grounds.

The bike route was on undulating South Derbyshire countryside, finishing with a picturesque run through the National Forest's Biggin Wood in front of the Hall and lake.

The aim of this charity is to raise funding to purchase equipment and services which are not available on the NHS to benefit Castle Medical Group patients.

This charity is registered with the charities commission and any money received is controlled by an independent body of trustees.

Because of donations, Castle Medical has been able to buy a Centrifuge machine which means that it is one of only a few practices that can do blood tests in the afternoon after the standard blood collection late morning from the hospital.

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The Burton Road-based health centre says this has really helped for patients who cannot attend in the morning for a blood test and improved overall availability.

The charity also enabled Castle Medical to purchase an automated blood pressure machine that is available in reception for patients to be able to check their blood pressure at any time, this has also dramatically reduced the number of appointments required with a Health Care Assistant.

There is still time to donate by visiting: HERE.