A CHARITY cycle ride along the Kennet and Avon canal on Sunday in aid of Trowbridge special needs centre Stepping Stones has raised more than £1,000 for the cause.

More than 40 cyclists set out from The Barge Inn, Bradford on Avon, to Bath for George’s Marvellous Bike Ride, with three possible routes available from 18 miles to 36 miles.

The annual memorial bike ride was launched following the death of nine-year-old George Hutchings in 2012.

George had quadriplegic cerebral palsy and benefited hugely from similar specialist services in his local area of Ipswich during his lifetime.

George’s mum Anna grew up in Seend where his grandmother, Hilary Hutchings, still lives and the family’s aim is to support local charities that provide services for children like George.

Miss Hutchings said: “We had a good turnout with 46 riders taking part and it was a really lovely atmosphere.

“Everyone said they really enjoyed themselves and Stepping Stones came along to see us off.

“We didn’t lose anybody along the way, which was good, and we had a great mixture of people of all ages, with my brother Nathan’s two-year-old daughter Charlotte the youngest taking part.

“We have currently raised £1,155 for Stepping Stones, but we are expecting more to come in through cheques.

“It’s a very worthy cause and it’s great we can raise money for them.

“There were past and present Stepping Stones children at the event, which helped the riders realise what they were doing it for. We will definitely be back again next year, but it will probably be a different route.”

Stepping Stones, which helps children in west Wiltshire with learning difficulties and disabilities, lost £10,000 of funding from Wiltshire Council in February, after central government withdrew its Aiming High For Disabled Children grants.

This left the centre needing to raise £50,000 a year and prompted the Wiltshire Times to launch a campaign to make up the shortfall.

The total now stands at more than £12,000.

Visit www.georgesmarvellousbikeride.org.uk or to donate go to www.localgiving. com/fundraising/gmbr