DETERMINED folk raised £37,000 through Kelly’s Cycle Challenge - despite attempts to sabotage the event.

The charity ride in aid of Challengers on May 19 was based at Alice Holt and took in quiet country lanes around Farnham and the Surrey border.

But some signage had been removed the night before the event, which included four routes with the longest being 74 miles, but it was replaced by organisers in the morning.

However, one sign in the village of Well was “maliciously moved” to point in the wrong direction, resulting in 23 cyclists travelling the wrong way for several miles.

After a phone call the race director pinpointed the problem and guided them to the correct route.

When riders returned to the event village, a group of almost 100 parents and children who had enjoyed a seven mile ride through the forest were there to greet them. Many local organisations and volunteers also got involved and supported the event.

Challengers provide play and leisure schemes for disabled children and young people and the money raised will go toward summer holiday trips.

Donations can still be made at tiny url.com/y5uj6tgx.