Hundreds of cyclists tackled the gruelling Hamsterley Beast this year and managed to raise £31,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance (GNAAS).
The charity bike ride was held on Sunday May 14 in Hamsterley Forest, County Durham and offered two routes to cater for riders of different abilities.
480 people took part in the event. The full Beast was a challenging 40-mile route with tough climbs and exhilarating descents, while the half Beast offered a more stamina friendly ride, as this route was half that distance.
The annual event started in 2015 and is organised by a group of mountain biking enthusiasts who wanted to give something back to GNAAS, which has flown to the aid of many injured cyclists over the years.
The £30 entry fee from the riders goes towards GNAAS and many of the participants also raise money through sponsorship. Almost two thirds of the money raised this year was through sponsorship, which helped Hamsterley Beast smash their goal of raising £20,000 for GNAAS.
Grahame Pickering MBE, chief executive of GNAAS, said: “We are so grateful to the organisers and everyone who took part in the Hamsterley Beast. The money raised from this event will go towards life-saving care across the region.”
If you’re interested in taking part in next year’s Hamsterley Beast, which takes place on May 12 and 13, sign up to the GNAAS waiting list to receive updates for future events: http://ow.ly/lEFx30dKaxo
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