Hundreds ride to the challenge in Brewood
Hundreds of cyclists embarked on mammoth journeys in a bid to help raise £250,000 for a new Scout hut in South Staffordshire.
The fourth annual Brewood Cycle Challenge attracted more than 600 participants. The challenge consists of a 100km cycle and a 50km event.
The event started at St Dominic's High School, in Brewood, on Saturday, with routes stretching across Staffordshire through Wheaton Aston, Acton Trussell and Penkridge before returning to Brewood.
It was first staged in 2010 when the Brewood Scout hut was under threat as Staffordshire County Council wanted to sell the land to save money. Brewood Scouts Fundraisers was formed, and organisers including committee member Bill Gallon, aged 72, spend weeks preparing for the challenge each year.
Mr Gallon, of Kiddemore Green Road, Brewood, said he was delighted with the turnout. He added: "It went really well. We have had a lot of good feedback from people who took part who say they are looking forward to next year's event already.
"The weather was good and it gives the event a feel-good factor. By the time you take into account spectators and mechanics working on the bikes, we would have had well in excess of 700 people descending on the village."
So far, in the region of £22,000 has been raised for the Scout hut since the event began.
The cycle race usually brings in about £5,000 so organisers were hoping up to have raised about £27,000 by next month.
But Mr Gallon said the total could be even higher after the good turnout.
