HUNDREDS of intrepid cyclists rode the wilds of Dartmoor last weekend as St Luke’s supporters took on the 2016 Tour de Moor cycling challenge.

Raising an estimated £94,000 the annual event saw participants take the 11km, 23km or 52km routes from Harrowbeer Airfield, Yelverton, which this year took a new trip around Buckland Abbey.

The National Trust estate is beautiful for walkers, but certainly wasn’t a walk in the park for the cyclists. Out on the 23km course and raising £500 was mum Louise Walker and son Dominic from Crapstone: ‘This is the first time we have taken part and it was really fun,’ said Louise.

‘We are doing it for my husband who has had cancer and has been helped at home by the team of St Luke’s nurses and social workers. It’s a remarkable resource and we need to make sure it is funded by events like this so it can carry on.’

Taking time out from his day job as a St Luke’s specialist nurse based at Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital was James Mills from Tavistock. He said: ‘I have taken part for the last three years and each year I am overwhelmed by the stories I hear from the cyclists to why they support this event and St Luke’s. Today I met a farmer, he had never rode a bike before and decided to take up the challenge because of the care we provided for his mum. This care is only possible by people continuing to support events like this and I can’t thank our supporters enough.’

Claire Luckhurst, event fundraiser for St Luke’s, said: ‘Wow, it’s been an amazing day and we’re so hugely grateful to everyone that braved the course today. Today’s riders have pledged enough to look after 94 families at home in the next year and that’s an incredible achievement for everyone involved. They did us all proud!’

St Luke’s expressed thanks to the Maristow Estate and Buckland Abbey for providing the use of their land this year, the Devon and Cornwall Rescue Team for their vital support and the Plume of Feathers pub for help with facilities.

St Luke’s offers care for people dealing with life-limiting illnesses everywhere from Salcombe to East Cornwall, via Tavistock and the moors, supporting families as much as patients. The charity supports around 3,200 people and their families each year, services which they need to raise over £4-million to provide.