A Brighton to Brussels charity bike ride has raised more than £50,000 for the mayor’s charities.
Brighton and Hove mayor Mo Marsh welcomed back the 45 cyclists who set off from the i360 on Brighton seafront four days earlier.
Councillor Marsh was joined by representatives of the Brighton Fringe and her five mayoral charities in New Road, Brighton.
They cheered home the cyclists who had taken part in the annual fundraiser organised by the Brighton and Hove Property Consortium.
And they were joined by Brighton Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle, incoming council leader Councillor Daniel Yates as well as deputy mayor Councillor Dee Simson.
While in Belgium, the cyclists helped the mayor officially start the Fringe, counting down to the start of the arts festival’s opening fireworks via a live video link from Brussels.
The fundraiser ended as the cyclists rode into New Road under the Fringe arch where each weekend street performers are entertaining the crowds.
In Brussels the cyclists, who included senior business figures, toured the European Parliament building there. They are keen to foster closer working links with Brighton and encourage business and tourism.
Brighton and Hove Property Consortium founder Colin Brace said: “With the generous support of our headline sponsors Oakley Property and Hyde Housing, together with Matt Woodhart, who sponsored the Fringe Festival Archway, we have now collectively raised over £50,000 for local charities.”
The mayor’s charities this year are the Martlets Hospice, Albion in the Community, RISE, the Sussex Heart Charity and the Clock Tower Sanctuary for the homeless.
Over three days, the cyclists covered more than 150 miles, taking in a ride up the cobbled Koppenberg Hill, in Flanders, with a 229m elevation gain.
Mr Brace said: “Our cycle event is open to cyclists of all abilities. It provides a fantastic opportunity to network within the property industry, creating new friends and business contacts.
“We are raising a huge amount of money for these fantastic charities who do so much amazing work within the city.
“This is our way, for the property industry, working closely with the council and charities, to give something back to the city which we call home.
“Started just three years ago, this event has rapidly grown to become one of the major events on the city’s fundraising calendar.”
Fantastic effort!