MORE than 600 cyclists donned helmets and showed their pedal power at the weekend for an Essex cancer charity.
Ride for Helen saw bikers both young and old take to the countryside around Crix House in Hatfield Peverel on Sunday for a ride of 15, 30 or 60 miles for the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, which offers support, counselling and therapy for those living with the disease.
One rider was Sam Fairbairn, aged five, who did the 15-mile route with his dad Erik, 37.
Sam, of Church Street, Coggeshall, was the youngster rider in the event.
Dad Erik, who runs his own electric vehicle charging business, said: "I'm a fairly avid cyclist but for Sam when I saw it advertised around Christmas, I signed him up and we built him up until his legs were strong enough.
"We had done a practice ride each weekend and he seems to love his cycling. He likes to live on his bike and he does not understand the idea of walking.
"He was a little bit exhausted after the ride, but as we came through people clapped and cheered.
"He said he loved all of it. I think he's raring to go to the next one."
Cyclists on the 15-mile route rode a circuit through Hatfield Peverel, White Notley, Witham and Terling, while the 30-mile riders went out to Kelvedon and the 60-mile cyclists rode as far as Sible Hedingham and Earls Colne. The ride, which was sponsored by insurance firm QBE, was the first of its kind for the charity.
Helen's sister Alison Grindley, who was also at the event and cycled the 15-mile route with Helen's daughter Nikki and a number of Helen's friends, said: "Helen would have been very proud and taken aback by the efforts being made by people."
Community fundraiser for the charity Michelle Andrews told the Chronicle: "It was a fantastic day. It was a shame the weather could not have been better, but it was an amazing turnout.
She added that, as of Monday, the charity had raised at least £30,000 from the event.
For more information about the charity, visit www.helen rollason.org.uk
