OVER 1,000 riders took part in this year’s Big Wheel, riding in the sunshine to raise money for St Michael’s Hospice.

Overall, 1,200 riders took part in the event on Sunday, 23 July, covering various distances for novices and veteran cyclists, ranging from a five mile ride to 65 miles.

It is hoped the event will generate more than £55,000 for St Michael’s Hospice, allowing it to continue to provide end of life care within the hospice and in patient’s homes via its Community Palliative Care Team.

The hospice, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, relies on many forms of fundraising to generate the £3.1m needed to keep the service going.

Total running costs for the charity stand at £3.9m with the difference funded by North Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

Laura Hughes, events manager at St. Michael’s Hospice, said: “With the hospice being in its 25th year this really was an opportunity to celebrate.

“The new 25 mile 25th anniversary celebratory route generated a lot of interest from riders with many taking part for the first time which is always great to see.

“I would like to thank many people but our event sponsors Clarke and Son Solicitors, Unum, HCT Creative, Greenhouse Graphics, MJ Events,Jigsaw Medical, Winklebury Cycles, Fyffes and Jack FM play a huge part in us being able to stage the event.

“Another big thanks to the volunteers from Newbury Building Society, Basingstoke Deane Rotary Club and Four Marks and Medstead Rotary Club who manned water stations along routes giving up their Sundays to support the Hospice.

“The event could not have happened either without the superb work of the fleet of motorbike riders from Unity Support Riders, USR, who ensured the cyclists safety on all the routes.

“We were delighted to see so many riders out in the sun enjoying themselves on behalf of the hospice, the continued support we receive for this event in incredible.”