COMMUNITY groups and charities have secured almost £2.3million thanks to Surrey’s role in the Prudential RideLondon cycling festival over the past four years. Thanks to the event Hollowdene Recreation Ground in Frensham has been awarded £8,000 to build an outdoor gym.

Sixty-seven Surrey organisations have been handed grants from the London Marathon Charitable Trust, which gives out proceeds from RideLondon, since the inaugural event in 2013.

The latest groups to receive grants are a boat club, a tennis club and a recreation ground trust which secured £148,000 between them, taking the total sum awarded over four years to £2.29million.

The London Marathon Charitable Trust awards grants to projects which get more people participating in sport.

Denise Turner-Stewart, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet member for communities, said: “Not only does RideLondon showcase Surrey to the world and give an economic boost, it creates a lasting legacy for grassroots groups across the county through these generous grants.

“Sixty-seven groups have now benefited to the tune of almost £2.3million and there can be no doubt the projects and facilities the awards have funded will continue inspiring people to get active for years to come.”

Full details of the latest grants can be found on the trust’s website.

Prudential RideLondon returns to Surrey for a fifth year on Sunday, July 30.