OVER £56,000 was raised for Farleigh Hospice at the weekend as 826 people got on their bikes in the Cycle for Life event.

Parts of the route taken by cyclists was ridden by those in the Tour de France earlier this year.

Riders were riding in memory of loved ones in support of the hospice which cares for over 1,000 people in Essex.

191 people completed the shorter 20km route through the villages of Pleshey, Great Waltham and Mashbury. The majority – 338 - completed the medium 50km cycle around the eight picturesque Essex Rodings, and 297 chose the brand new challenging 100km ride which included parts of the Tour de France route.

Cheryl Bunkle, from the hospice, said: “We are absolutely delighted that so many people turned up to Cycle for Life for Farleigh Hospice last Sunday!

"Inside patients’ own homes, in our day hospices, Inpatient Unit, clinics, Information Service and within the essential work of our adult and child bereavement teams – the £56,500 our fabulous cyclists pledged to raise will make a real difference to the patients and families Farleigh Hospice cares for.”

Next year’s event will take place on September 13 and registration will open at the beginning of June 2015.