HUNDREDS of cyclists used their pedal power to raise vital funds for Macmillan on Sunday.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the cancer charity’s Dorset Bike Ride set off from Corfe Mullen Recreation Ground.

Daniel Case, who was the top fundraiser at last year’s event, started this year’s ride. The total funds raised throughout the event’s history is expected to reach the £1.5m mark this year.

There were several routes available to cyclists, with the 100-mile ride the most gruelling. The majority of participants took on the 63-mile route, while others tackled 48, 38, 25, and 10 miles.

Nine-year-old Jack Dickson and his brother Luke, 8, rode 25 miles with their dad, Andrew.

“We do a lot of cycling, sometimes on the roads but other times at places like Moors Valley,” Jack said.

“The Dorset Bike Ride gives them a good, safe experience while achieving a challenge,” Andrew added.

Joe Joseph, who was cycling in the event for the first time, said: “I’m doing this in memory of my mother and sister who both died of cancer. I’m trying to raise £500.

“I’m a keen cyclist and belong to the Dorset Cycling Network,” he added.

Oncology nurse Mandy Green, who lost her mother, Mary Clark, to lung cancer in 2014, tackled the 25-mile route with her dad, Derek.

“We’ve done a couple of runs together but our knees are pooped now so we’ve moved onto cycling,” Mandy said.

“We’re doing this ride for my mum. She died very quickly from cancer. We tell people never to sit on symptoms,” she added.

Ride organiser Peter Smith-Nicholls said the ride was the biggest event run by Macmillan volunteers in the South West.

“Thirty years is really significant for us. There are lots of people entering the race now,” he said.

“We’ve upped the distances and made it harder. This year there have been more people wanting to do longer distances – people certainly like a challenge and it’s good from a fundraising point of view.

“It’s great seeing some of the younger riders coming along and doing 10 miles or 25 miles. We thank all the cyclists who’ve taken part over the years. There are people who’ve come back every year,” he added.

This year, riders and their sponsors were encouraged to donate £30 in an entry fee or sponsorship to support the charity.

Peter said the event had grown over the years and now attracted around 800 riders.

This year’s 100 mile route was adapted to make a more interesting ride that took cyclists back to some of the places Peter visited on the first ride in 1989.