BIG-HEARTED cyclists have turned a potential £1,000 loss resulting from the cancellation of the Little Lumpy charity ride into an “amazing” £4,300 boost for Alice Holt Inclusive Cycling.

Organisers of the Haslemere-based charity sportive worried that their partner charity would lose out on a £1,000 cheque promised to part-pay for a disability bike after taking the decision to cancel the 2020 event.

Ken Griffiths, chairman of Little Lumpy, informed riders who had already registered about the cancellation in April, and gave them three options: To carry their registration over to 2021, to get a full refund or to divert their 2020 registration fee to Alice Holt Inclusive Cycling (AHIC).

Mr Griffiths said: “Our Little Lumpy riders come back year after year to ride our three routes in the Surrey Hills and to sample all our home baked cakes at our numerous feed stations.

“They know our volunteers by name and we recognise many riders when they arrive in Haslemere each year for the event.

“We have been deeply touched that so many riders have donated their registration fees and helped Little Lumpy raise enough money to buy a bike outright for Alice Holt Inclusive Cycling.”

“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our Little Lumpy riders who have donated an amazing £4,300 for AHIC. This means a Van Raam Fun-2-Go Tricyle will be donated outright to the charity.”

The Fun 2 Go is a special needs side by side trike, or double rider cycle, in which the users sit beside each other. One person steers, both can pedal.

Peter Jeans AHIC chairman said he was “overwhelmed” by the response and added: “On behalf of the trustees and all the volunteers at AHIC I would like to thank everyone at Little Lumpy – the organisers, volunteers and especially the riders – for donating this very generous sum of money.

“In helping us to buy a specially adapted tricycle we are supplementing our stable of bikes for our handicapped clients and their carers.

“We cater for individuals and groups throughout Surrey, North East Hampshire and beyond, providing them with a very enjoyable and happy experience in an otherwise challenging world.

“Our clients really look forward to their weekly outings to us in the safe and beautiful surroundings of Alice Holt Forest, and it is a joy to see this reflected in their faces, even though some of them cannot adequately express their feelings. This donation will really make a big difference to them.

“Many of our team at AHIC were ready to help with Little Lumpy this year, either cake baking, putting up signs or marshalling etcetera, so I know we will be there for you next year with even more enthusiasm!

“We are so grateful to the Little Lumpy volunteers!’’

As a tasty postscript to this good news story, Little Lumpy had already begun baking for their feeding stations and had bought many ingredients. These have not gone to waste.

Stella Mills coordinates the baking every year for the sportive. She has donated cakes to the community meals service that is delivered by Haslemere community centre, Haslewey.

Mrs Mills is also still baking and delivering regular tray bakes to NHS workers at Haslemere Hospital.