Bike ride raises about £18k for children's charity

About 300 cyclists took part in the bike ride and raised more than £18,000

Cyclists raised more than £18,000 for a children’s charity.

More than 300 cyclists in Berkshire took part in the Ride Wessex Downs bike ride to raise money for Action Medical Research.

The charity funds medical research to tackle diseases, including epilepsy, prematurity, cerebral palsy, and brain cancer that devastate the lives of children.

Among the participants was Dave Walton from Maidenhead, he said: “I feel humbled to have raised much needed funds for this incredibly worthy charity.”

The charity bike ride sets off from the grounds of Pangbourne College

The charity has funded medical breakthroughs since it began in 1952 including helping to introduce the first polio vaccines in the UK, developing the use of ultrasound in pregnancy and testing the rubella vaccine.

The cycling event took place against in North Wessex Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Cyclists had a choice of three routes which varied from 34 to 100 miles and tackled up to 6,000 feet of hill climbs.

Mr Walton, who raised more than £700, said: “This was only my second event with Action, and I feel humbled to have raised much needed funds for this incredibly worthy charity.”

Zoë Westerman from Action Medical Research said: “It’s only the third time that we’ve run the event in this area and participation has grown by 25% in that time, which means more vital fundraising to save and change the lives of babies and children."

Next year's Ride Wessex Downs event will take place on 30 March 2025.