KIND fundraisers saddled up for a Stourport cycling event and helped raise thousands of pounds for a cancer charity.

The first Stourport Easy Rider was held on Saturday and saw more than 200 people attend the town’s sports club in Kingsway to support the event.

And their efforts saw them exceed all expectations as they collected more than £7,000 – almost three times the original £2,500 target.

Riders were sponsored to complete laps of a purpose-built cycling track of just under a mile with the money raised going to Pancreatic Cancer Action to raise awareness of the disease.

An Olympic torch bearer, Robin Jarvis, led riders of all ages around the track and those taking part included Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier.

Other attractions on the day included a baseball pitching game which proved very popular, bouncy castle, netball tournament, face painting, cake stall and barbecue.

West Mercia Police officers were also there to promote bicycle safety and a cycle mechanic checked over people’s bikes.

The event was organised by retired Wyre Forest District Police Inspector Paul Crowley, who has pancreatic cancer, and his friend Paul Knight who lost his mother to the disease.

Paul Crowley said: “Pancreatic cancer, which is often described as a silent killer, is the fifth most common cancer and yet many people don’t know anything about it. Survival rates are low, yet if it can be caught early enough it significantly increases chances of making a recovery.

“The event gave people a chance to cycle off-road in a safe environment and we organised it to raise awareness of the disease generally.

“The money raised will also be used to help educate people in the medical profession about the importance of early diagnosis, which is essential.”

Mr Crowley said he was grateful to the sports club for supporting the event and thanked all those who attended as well as the many local businesses and people who provided sponsorship and raffle prizes.

He added: “The weather was fantastic and the reaction overwhelming. We had set ourselves a target of raising around £2,500 from the event but we managed that on the day itself.

“However with Just Giving donations made online the total has topped £7,000, which has more than surpassed our expectations.”

Anyone wishing to support the cause can still donate online via www.justgiving.com/stourporteasyrider