Sunshine reward for riders (From Southend Standard)

Sunshine reward for riders

1:20pm Wednesday 28th March 2012 in Southend By Jon Austin

HUNDREDS of cyclists rode out to help raise thousands of pounds for the British Heart Foundation.

They set out from Cambridge to ride 75 miles to Southend along the winding lanes of the Essex countryside on the second annual Cam to Coast bike ride.

Riders arrived at their destination, Southchurch Park, Southchurch, to be met by crowds of local supporters and glorious sunshine.

Last year’s event raised about £30,000 and the charity is aiming to top that this year.

Riders included Chris May, 42, from Wickford, who works at Cycles UK in Leigh, who had his two-year-old daughter Holly in tow. Holly and Chris took part after Holly underwent open heart surgery as a tiny baby.

Melanie Blackman, regional events organiser for the charity, said: “It was a complete success, and was helped significantly by the weather.

“It was a little foggy to begin with, but then people were cycling in sunshine through the glorious Essex countryside.”

She thanked everyone who took part and urged them to swiftly collect in their sponsorship money.

She added: “Some really special people took part, including Holly and her dad, who are affected, but also many people who just enjoyed the cycling and want to help raise money.”