THE funding coffers of Sue Ryder Manorlands have had a huge boost thanks to the efforts of members of Skipton Cycling Club.

Since June 2014 the club has successfully organised an annual cycling Sportive known as Le Petit Depart with the aim of raising funds for charity and encouraging cycling in the region.

In recent years the event has partnered with Manorlands which also arranges similar events. However, Le Petit Depart was unable to go ahead in 2020 or 2021 through Covid restrictions.

As the hospice depends hugely on voluntary fundraising, the club decided to make a substantial donation from its funds to make up for the shortfall which occurred due to the two cancellations.

A spokesman for the club said: “Our aim is for the £3,000 to be used for local care rather than diluted into the national set-up. Plans are in place to resume Le Petit Depart next year, the most likely date being Sunday, June 5.

“We aim to provide two distances - the classic 80 miles and the recreational ride at 38 miles.”

Skipton Cycling Club was launched just over nine years ago, reestablishing a club of the same name which started in the 1930s.

The club has flourished into a well-organised sporting group with more than 100 members. It continues to attract new cyclists who enjoy road riding in a social group on a good quality road bike.

At present, it runs a range of road rides on five days/nights of the week.

Skipton Cycling Club committee says it looks forward to welcoming new members and hopes to ‘see you on the road’.

Full details are on the ‘about our rides’ section of the website which can be found at www.skipton.cc. Rides start from the area at the back of Chevin Cycles, in Skipton High Street, The longer rides involve a cafe stop.

Club membership and guests joining details can be found on the website.

An example of the rides out are:

Saturdays, 9.30am - 50+ or 30-mile routes.

Sundays, 10am - up to 30 miles.

Monday evenings, 6.30pm - 25 miles approximately. Good lights needed in winter.

Wednesday daytime, 9.30am - 50 to 60 miles or more.

Wednesday evenings, 6.30pm - similar to Mondays.

Thursdays, 6.30pm - women only ride.

Manorlands, based at Oxenhope, faced a tough time at the start of the pandemic last year due to a lack of funds as many money-raising events had to be cancelled and funds began to dry up. The hospice supports people with life-limiting conditions across Airedale ,Wharfedale, Craven, the North and Bradford.