Cycle ride to raise money for The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House. Picture: Ian Burt

A new charity cycle ride launched at the weekend has already raised £3,500 for The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House.

Just over 30 fund-raisers took part in the first annual Cycle For a Nurse challenge and there are plans to extend the sponsored event when it returns next year.

Cyclists were invited to dress up as nurses before tackling the ten and 20-mile routes around Sedgeford, near Hunstanton, yesterday (Sunday).

Fundraising manager Jackie Cameron was among those taking part and said there was a fantastic atmosphere.

“It all went very smoothly and we definitely hope to do it again next year when we would like to add the option of a 50-mile course,” she added.

A majority of the sponsorship money is yet to be collected, so the final total will not be known for a couple weeks.

Next year the hospice will move into a new purpose-built facility with 12 in-patient beds at Hillington, near King’s Lynn, so it can provide a more complete service to a greater number of people in West Norfolk and beyond.

The £750,000 Seahorse Appeal, backed by the EDP, has been launched to help meet the charity’s increased running costs, which are expected to rise from £1.4m to £3.4m each year.

Visit www.justgiving.com/tappinghouse to make a donation.