A MUM is hopping on the saddle for Britain’s biggest bike ride to raise money for a cause close to her heart.

Alice Barnes, 42, of Royston, says she owes Arthur Rank Hospice a debt of gratitude after her dad, Andrew Catley, passed away at the age of 65 in their care two years ago.

In a bid to show her support and raise money for the Cambridge-based charity, she has signed up for the inaugural Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100, which will see 20,000 riders tackle a 100-mile route finishing on The Mall in central London on August 4.

The ride starts from the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and follows the London 2012 road race route, taking in the physically demanding Box and Leith Hills in Surrey, before returning to the capital.

The mother-of-two is determined to go to any length to help raise awareness of a charity which cared so well for her father.

“They cared him for so well in his last few weeks, giving him some dignity and not forgetting what our family was going through as well. I don’t think people really understand what hospices are about until they need one. It’s only when you’re in the situation where someone so close to you is nearing the end of their life, that you realise how much appreciated and invaluable they are.”

Organisers are aiming to make the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 the largest charity fundraising cycle event in the world, with the route taking place on closed roads through the capital and into Surrey’s stunning countryside.

And Alice hopes many more will follow in her tyre-treads after her own liberating experience with cycling.

To support Alice, visit www.justgiving.com/CatleyBarnes and make a donation. Prudential RideLondon takes place on 3 & 4 August. If you would like to take part visit www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk