A group of cyclists from The Mordens saddled up at the weekend to raise money for a cause close to villagers’ hearts.

The cycle ride on Saturday clocked up hundreds of miles and raised £1,200 for the Wheels For Martin’s Friends charity.

Charity chairman Peter Furmston, who lives in Guilden Morden, was delighted with the turnout of more than 20 riders.

He said: “The orginal idea for the fundraiser was to go out for 12 hours or even double that, but we quickly realised this would be too much as we wanted people of all ages to take part.

“So we set the circuit at 4.8 miles starting at the Edward VII pub at Guilden Morden and continuing out of the village, on to Steeple Morden and the back again – and then kept doing that as many times as possible.”

Peter – who turns 70 next month – and another cyclist completed 100 miles, and many others achieved personal bests. The youngest rider who took part was aged just five.

Wheels For Martin’s Friends was set up nearly 30 years ago in memory of Martin Dellar, a teenager from Guilden Morden who needed a wheelchair.

Martin has since passed away but Peter, charity president Nick Crane and others who knew Martin and were touched by his story continued their work in the village, and all over Cambs, Herts and Beds.

The charity has gone on to help many others with full or part funding for wheelchairs and mobility aids and has raised more than £300,000 since it was formed in 1989.

“This is a charity that is very dear to the people in Guilden Morden. Martin was a young lad with muscular dystrophy, and we said we would raise some money and have continue to after he died.

“So to keep it up and to keep raising money is great – it shows the community spirit of people in the villages and beyond.”

The charity’s next big fundraiser is an annual golf day, which takes place at the John O’Gaunt Gold Club in Sandy, Bedfordshire, on Friday, June 16.

Anyone wishing to take part or sponsor a hole should contact Peter Furmston at info@wheelsformartinsfriends.org.uk. For further information and to find out how Wheels for Martin’s Friends could support you, visit www.wheelsformartinsfriends.org.uk