A FATHER'S pedal power has pulled in £3,000 for poor children in developing countries.

Martin Harris, who lives in Otterbourne Road, Shawford, cycled 60 miles to Oxford on Friday on behalf of a fund set up in memory of his daughter, Emilie, who was killed while cycling near her college last May.

The ride was timed to coincide with Emilie's birthday -she would have been 21 on Wednesday. Her parents, together with friends at Oxford University, set up Emilie's Charities to raise money for projects of which they felt she would have approved.

Emilie, who was studying human sciences at St Catherine's College, spent her gap year working in an orphanage in Bolivia.

Mr Harris said: "The kids there didn't really have anything and when they leave these institutions, there is often no follow-up. But a number of organisations in different locations are trying to help get them an education."

The bike ride was called "Emilie's Trouser Ride" as Mr Harris wore a bright purple pair which she had brought back from Bolivia.

Sponsors included her friends, family and, St Catherine's students as well as pupils and staff at St Swithun's, where Emilie was a pupil until 2002. To date, a total of £5,000 has been raised, with the money supporting projects for needy youngsters in Bolivia, Peru and South Africa.