ALMOST 1,000 charitable cyclists gathered to raise £28,000 for the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity.

The charity's annual Ride for Helen event saw cyclists from across the county and beyond come together to take on distances starting at six-miles, all the way to 90.

BBC Essex Radio presenter Sadie Nine threw her helmet on to take on the six-mile ride with her husband Al, and their three dogs in toe.

Tiptree's world renowned Wilkin and Sons were also on hand to hand out sweet treats for all the cyclists on the route.

Among the riders were Great Braxted resident, Katie Miles, 33 and her friend Laura Emerson, 35, who completed the 50-mile event side by side.

Following the ride, Laura said: "The Marshalls on route were really helpful and friendly and once we got back to the Crix in Hatfield Peverel, the snacks on offer were plentiful and very welcome!

"We lost our Uncle to cancer last year so the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity is a cause very close to our heart.”

Katie added “We really enjoyed ourselves; this was a well organised ride all in aid of a fantastic charity.”

The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity was established after the London born sports journalist and TV presenter after she passed away from the disease in 1999.

The cause was established that year to offer people suffering from cancer and their loved ones who were affected.

Among the cyclists on the day was a volunteer at the charity, Marianne Irving, 46.

In 2010, Marianne was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma and she was treated at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.

She said: "The charity's support centre at Rochelle House in Chelmsford helped me so much during a very scary time in my life.

"I received reflexology treatments and counselling from the team there and the support was invaluable to my recovery.

"To give something back to this incredible charity I regularly volunteer at their events – Ride for Helen is one of my favourites and I am very proud to help out on the day.”

To find out more about the charity, go to helenrollason.org.uk