THE organiser of next year’s Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride hopes to attract 1,000 riders to the charity challenge.

With a target of £100,000 for 2017, Peter Smith-Nicholls is determined to make next year’s Daily Echo-backed event one to remember.

Yesterday, the Westover Group officially launched its support for the charity cycle - which is already backed by luxury yacht builder Sunseeker International.

Speaking at Westover Jaguar, West Quay Road, Poole, Peter said: “Just a huge thank you to Westover for getting on board as one of our sponsors. When company’s like this back the event it really provides a boost. Hopefully we’ll be able to raise more than £100,000, as we did in 2011.”

Alongside financial assistance, Westover will also provide two cars to help organisers and volunteers on the day of the ride.

The ride was started by Peter in 1989, the year after he cycled from John o’ Groats to Land’s End following the death of his father from cancer.

Many of the people taking part in the ride have personal reasons for doing so, may of their friends and family have battled the disease. Some 42 people took part in the very first Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride, raising £2,500 between them. The event now attracts hundreds of riders and since 1989 has raised in excess of £1m for Macmillan Cancer Support.

MacMillan Cancer Support works to help cancer patients, from the moment they are diagnosed, and their families through treatment and beyond.

According to the latest figures there are two million people living with or beyond cancer in the UK. The number of people living with cancer in the UK is increasing by 3.2 per cent every year.

Some 310,000 people in the country are diagnosed with cancer every year.

The Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride includes a number of routes, which start at Corfe Mullen.

Registration for 2017’s Dorset 100, the 100-mile route, is already open, with registration on other routes set to open later this month.

The event, set for the first Sunday in July, includes a 10-mile, 25-mile, 38-mile, 48-mile and a 60-mile route

Westover Group head of marketing Mark Whittam said: “We’re delighted to have this opportunity to offer the Dorset Macmillan team some additional support.”

Visit macmillanbikeride.com for information.