AN MP took on part of a 12-hour bike ride held in the Houses of Parliament by service personnel in support of The Royal British Legion’s Annual Poppy Appeal.

The event which took place from 8am to 8pm on November 2, in Portcullis House, was attended by the MP for North East Hampshire, Ranil Jayawardena.

The bike ride was organised by the Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT) and The Royal British Legion, and MPs were encouraged to donate as they took part in the challenge with all money going to help The Royal British Legion.

Participants were tasked with cycling as far as they could in five minutes, with the hope of topping the leaderboard and beating colleagues. Mr Jayawardena managed to cycle 1.92 miles and the leaderboard was topped by Paul Williams MP who cycled 2.7 miles.

Mr Jayawardena said: “I would like to thank the Industry and Parliament Trust and The Royal British Legion for arranging this event. The Royal British Legion provides invaluable support to The Armed Forces community; I am pleased to have been able to support such a worthy cause.

“I would encourage all of you to do your part, to donate to The Royal British Legion this November and to wear your poppy with pride.”

Nick Maher, chief executive officer of the IPT, said: “The work of The Royal British Legion is essential to the lives of the whole Armed Forces community across the UK and I am delighted that MPs and Peers are supporting us in our efforts to raise money for such a worthwhile cause.

“The support and enthusiasm from parliamentarians and service men and women has been fantastic.”

Following on from the success of the bike ride in 2016, it is reported that more than 70 other MPs raced against the clock to get as far as they could this year.