A FUNDRAISING event for Ryedale Special Families has broken all records.

This year’s Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Challenge, which was held in July, attracted a record number of starters on the day, with 254 riders setting out from Norton College, to tackle the 144 mile, two-day route around the Yorkshire Wolds.

This year’s event ran in a clockwise direction around the circular route with record-breaking temperatures approaching 30 degrees Celsius created difficult conditions for the riders, but with a little help where required everyone got home safely.

The total amount raised for the charity from the event was £37,200 – 29 per cent up on the previous year’s figure.

Rob Davies, Ryedale Special Families’ Funding Co-ordinator and organiser of the event, said: “The event goes from strength to strength and we seem to be attracting riders from all over the country now.

“It’s particularly poignant that we’ve raised such an amazing amount this year, following the launch of our ‘Get a Move On’ campaign earlier in the year, to help raise £100,000 towards finding new premises.

“Part of the funds raised from the Cycle Challenge will be contributed to this campaign, but we of course still need to continue the invaluable work we do in supporting local families with children who have disabilities, illness and/or additional needs.”

He said: “The Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Challenge is a huge team effort and I’d like to say a massive thank you to every single person involved in making it happen, from fellow organisers, marshals, guardian angels, refreshment stop providers, the team at Hutton Cranswick SRA, Norton College, St John Ambulance, Matthew Maw Removals, and of course our sponsors Bannisters Farm, Big Bear Bikes, Inntravel, Kent Building Developments, MKM Malton, Pro-Pak Foods and Wold Top Brewery and of course to every single rider for helping us hit this unbelievable amount raised.”

Entries are already coming in for next year’s event which will be held on July 13 and 14. Full details are on the website www.yorkshirewoldscyclechallenge.org.uk