Aviva UK’s big wheels on wheels have demonstrated how to raise money for charity.

Members of the Aviva UK leadership team, including chief executive Mark Hodges, raised more than £100,000 for three worthy causes through a charity bike ride between their offices in York and Norwich.

The 12-strong team cycled nearly 200 miles in the first Tour d’Aviva challenge.

The money raised will be shared between the company’s UK Street to School partner – Railway Children – and employee-nominated regional charities, Martin House and Priscilla Bacon Lodge, located near Aviva’s life and general insurance businesses in York and Norwich. Aviva has donated £50,000 to the fund.

Railway Children is a leading UK and international charity which aims to help vulnerable young people living alone and at risk on the streets.

It has been Aviva’s official partner charity since November 2009.

Aviva and its employees have donated in the region of £500,000 to the organisation.

Aviva encourages its employees to become involved with volunteering and fundraising activities through its corporate responsibility programme.

All members of staff are given three days of paid leave each year to take part in community, charity and environmental activities. In 2010, Aviva workers spent 24,000 hours volunteering on important projects around the UK.

Mark Hodges said: “Corporate responsibility is hugely important at Aviva, so this year we wanted to step up to the mark and take on a task that would be both physically and mentally demanding.

“Our chosen charities do some amazing work across the UK and in Yorkshire and Norwich, so we’re determined to raise as much money as possible for these three great causes. Any donations will be very gratefully received.”

• Donations can be made to via the Tour d’Aviva sponsorship page at tour.aviva.com