This year's Wokingham Bikeathon raised thousands for charity

Over 800 riders turned out for the event on Sunday, June 25 to raise money for various charities in the event which took place as part of National Bike Week.

Riders ranging in age from just three years old to seasoned veterans were started by Wokingham Mayor, Peter Lucie, and took to the roads around Wokingham on either the 15 mile or 35 mile route.

Although many took part with families and friends just for fun, others were sponsored and raising funds for local charities including the ever-exuberant Limbcare team in their Surrey bike pedalled by three amputees and a rider with a broken arm.

Ellie McDaniel and her friends chose to ride for Sport in Mind to support local people with mental health problems.

Ellie said: “I really enjoyed taking part in my first Wokingham Bikeathon. I wanted to support the local charity Sport in Mind and thought this event would be the perfect way for me to challenge myself and raise valuable funds for the work they do throughout Berkshire support people with mental health problems.”

Riders from Ravenswood in Crowthorne, part of the Norwood Charity, used tandem bikes to support the participation of riders with learning disabilities who cycled as part of each tandem team.

Andrea Ford said: "It was a fantastic opportunity for the people we support to use the local event to continue their preparation for their International Bike Ride in Israel in October. We had an amazing day and would love to be part of events in the future”.

A great many other charities were represented at the event including the Thames Hospice who will be receiving £300 raised by Danny and Simeon while one 6 year old raised over £200 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The Bikeathon is run annually by a team of local volunteers, supported by a number of charitable organisations who provide people to help with the check-in, run the drinks stops, marshal the routes and capture photographs of the event.