LEISURE giants Whitbread Plc have beat the £200,000 mark in their fund-raising efforts for Manchester's Christie Hospital.

Staff who work for the company, which owns businesses such as Brewers Fayre, Brewsters, TGI Fridays, David Lloyd Leisure and Travel Inn took part in a number of initiatives ranging from competing in marathons and a bike race to a charity golf day at the Worsley Park Marriott Hotel.

The cash raised will go towards developing equipment for the early detection of cancer, as well as funding the hospital's research programme and support for the children's cancer treatment centre.