AN ARMY major from near York, who has survived prostate cancer, organised and took part in a coast-to-coast bike ride with a group of cyclists, which has raised thousands of pounds for charity.

Colin Riddell, of Millfield Court, Haxby, arranged a 150-mile ride from Seascale, on the coast of Cumbria, to Whitby, on Saturday.

The 53-year-old father-of-two was joined by 36 cyclists, mostly from around Yorkshire, including 12 people from Haxby and York.

Colin decided to organise the ride in aid of Prostate Cancer UK after being given the all clear following his battle with the condition, which has seriously affected his family. His father died of prostate cancer and his two brothers were also diagnosed with it.

His brother Roger, 71, who is still fighting the condition, rode part of the coast-to-coast route.

Colin, who works at Imphal Barracks in Fulford, said: "While I was fit and healthy and able to do something I wanted to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK."

It took Colin about 12-and-a-half hours to reach Whitby.

Altogether they have raised about £17,500 so far for Prostate Cancer UK, but the total sum is expected to exceed £18,000.

When he was organising the ride, Colin contacted people he thought may be interested in taking part, and they invited others to get involved as well.

"In the end I was just amazed by the response and the amount of people who wanted to do it and how much they all raised," Colin explained.

"It massively exceeded what I wanted to achieve.

"When I started I only had a figure of £250 each and thought maybe I could get about 20 people so that is why I was thinking about £5,000."

Speaking about completing the ride, he added: "It was hard but you have an amazing sense of achievement once you get into Whitby. I'm now thinking what I might do next year in terms of a similar event."

Colin has thanked everyone who assisted with the event and all the cyclists who were involved.

Anyone who would like to support Colin and make a donation can do so by visiting: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/colin-riddell