Round the Wrekin challenge set to bring in £30,000 for Compton Care

Wolverhampton's Compton Care revealed more than £25,000 has already been raised from its Banks’s Round the Wrekin Cycle Sportive across the Shropshire Hills.

It comes after almost 700 fundraisers pledged to cycle the route to gather cash to support people living with complex and incurable diseases.

Staff Sergeant Jason Claydon-Brookes battled the 64-mile cycle ride and visited the Compton Road West-base charity to hand over his £340 cheque.

The Wolverhampton resident, who is originally from Much Wenlock, Shropshire, said: "I’m a keen cyclist and have taken part in the Velo previously. I trained for the Round the Wrekin ride whilst I was based in Cyprus with the UN to make sure that I was prepared to take on the 64 miles.

"The route was really tough and tricky in places because it was on open road, whereas I’m used to doing the Velo where roads are cordoned off.

"It was really enjoyable, although the last six miles were extremely difficult and I was just willing myself to keep going.

"I’m definitely going to sign up to take part in the ride again next year but this time I’m hoping to do the epic 100 mile route so I will begin training for that later this year."

Last month, cyclists set off from Kingswinford Rugby Club before pedalling through South Staffordshire and into Shropshire.

Supporters took in the sights of Long Mynd, Stiperstones and The Wrekin as they cycled along a choice of three routes - the epic 100mile challenge, the standard 64mile route and the shorter 24mile route.

It was the third time fundraisers united for the event, supported by former cyclist Hugh Porter MBE, to raise cash for the hospice

Mr Porter said: "Jason has raised a fantastic amount of money from taking part in the Banks’s Round the Wrekin Sportive which will go a long way towards helping this wonderful charity.

“Being from Much Wenlock he knew how tough the ride was going to be but that did not deter him from taking part. Next year he is going to do the Epic route which is a big step up from the 64-mile one but I will be happy to offer him support and assist in his training where I can.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s ride raising money for Compton Care to enable them to continue to provide the excellent care for which they are renowned.”

More money from cyclists is expected to be donated to Compton Care - formerly known as Compton Hospice - over the coming weeks.

Organisers are also preparing to launch into plans for next year's event later this year.