Ride for Life raises �60,000

Organisers of one of the region's most popular charity bike rides spoke of their delight today after raising �60,000 for local children's hospices. More than 1,200 walkers and cyclists took part in this year's Ride for Life event in Thetford Forest to support East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH).

Organisers of one of the region's most popular charity bike rides spoke of their delight today after raising �60,000 for local children's hospices.

More than 1,200 walkers and cyclists took part in this year's Ride for Life event in Thetford Forest to support East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH).

Officials from the charity, which has a hospice at Quidenham, near Attleborough, said they were overwhelmed after a total of �60,000 was generated by their biggest fundraising event, which is sponsored by the EDP.

The annual Ride for Life, which has been running for the last 16 years, has raised in excess of �620,000 for EACH, which provides care and support for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

This year's event on May 17 saw a total of 1,242 people completing cycle rides and walks from Santon Downham, near Thetford, ranging from three miles to 35 miles.

Karen Chesney, EACH events fundraiser, said the money would help support the charity's centres at Quidenham, Ipswich, and Milton, Cambridgeshire, which cost around �5.8m to operate every year.

“We would like to thank everyone who took part in this year's Ride for Life and helped to make it such a great success.”

“As always, there was a great buzz and everyone who took part really enjoyed themselves and raised lots of money, and we hope this will continue next year,” she said.

Next year's event will take place on Sunday May 16 and people can sign up from February.