THE incredible effort of cyclists who peddled their way to raise thousands of pounds for worthy causes was celebrated at a special awards evening in Barrow.

Prize winners, committee members and volunteers gathered at Barrow Golf Club in Rakesmoor Lane on Wednesday to recognise the success of last year's Tour de Furness .

A total of 567 riders took part in the cycle challenge in September, collecting £21,000 for lots of local charities.

The awards evening celebrated the selfless individuals and teams who managed to collect the most cash for projects and groups close to their heart.

Graham Postlethwaite, secretary of the Rotary Club of Furness 2016/2017, which organises the Tour de Furness each year, said: "I can hardly believe it is 22 years since we ran our first Tour de Furness, sponsored by the Furness Building Society - then we had only two routes, a 13 mile circuit around the district, taking in Furness Abbey - that was for casual cyclists and then was our most popular ride. The 50 mile ride out to Coniston, for the cycling enthusiast then had limited appeal.

"I cannot remember how many riders we had taking part but know that it raised £236 for St Mary’s Hospice, which we were very pleased with.

"Nowadays, supported by a dozen or so sponsors, we continue to cater for every level of cyclist but with 500 to 600 riders each year and half of them undertake the challenging 50 mile ride."

Prize winners

Team

1) Terminal Trundlers raised £5,860 - Winner of the Bill Bartlett Cup and a cheque for £500 to Brathay's Focus on Furness appeal.

2) Dalton Rugby raised £3,221.32 - Received a cheque for £300 to 'Lookin Good Feelin Great'.

3) Call the Midwife raised £2,874.93 - Received a cheque for £150 for the Bay Hospitals Charity.

Senior

1) Martin Leslie raised £3,150 - Received a cheque for £500 to UNIQUE.

2) Neil Grace raised £1,350 - Received a cheque for £300 to the Alzheimer's Society.

3) Roger Low raised £743.50- Received a cheque for £150 to the Alzheimer's Society.

Junior

1) William Morrow, 13-years-old, raised £558 - Received a cheque for £150 to The Christie

2) Adam Lomas, 14-years-old, raised £345.60- Received a cheque £75 to St Mary's Hospice.

3) Harry Scribbans, 15-years-old, raised £64 - Received a cheque for £50 to St Mary's Hospice.


RACE: Tour de Furness 2016 MILTON HAWORTH <strong>Tour de Furness 2016 in numbers</strong>

- 567 riders registered;

- 61 riders under 16;

- 27 riders over 65;

- £21,000 distributed to 20 nominated charities;

- Extra £2,175 given to seven deserving charities on Wednesday night;

- £337,476 raised since Rotarian Bill Bartlett encouraged the club to run its Tour de Furness event.