A CHARITY cycle ride taking place in Stokesley this weekend will pay tribute to the mother of a cyclist who died as he took part in last year’s race.

Just a week after Stokesley turned out in force to cheer on the Tour de Yorkshire, cyclists will arrive in the town on Sunday (May 8) for Stokesley’s 30-mile charity ride.

The circular ride is now into its 19th year and in that time has raised more than £121,000 for charity.

This year it will raise funds for Bloodwise, the UK’s biggest blood cancer charity which supports research into leukaemia and other blood cancers.

Event founder Paul Mackintosh said they chose the charity after cyclist Jez Glennon finished last year's race only to find an ambulance outside his mother’s Stokesley home. She died on the day of the race due to complications caused by leukaemia.

Jez, from Stockton, said: “Last year the ride was on May 10, my mam’s birthday. She had leukaemia and had had a blood transfusion and as far as we were concerned it was going okay.

“When I rode back to Stokesley and past my mam’s house there was an ambulance outside. I didn’t think anything of it because my dad has diabetes and sometimes has to call paramedics out. But when I got back there were quite a few missed calls on my phone saying she was at James Cook University Hospital.”

Also taking part will be Chloe Brown, who was the inspiration for the first race in 1998.

It was organised by Mr Mackintosh to raise money for Chloe, after she was diagnosed with a rare cancer when she was two-years-old. She underwent chemotherapy and an operation to remove a tumour near her right eye.

Chloe, now 22, will take part for the first time this year, accompanied by her brother and father.

It is sponsored by recycling firm RPS Maltby, who prevented the race from being disbanded three years ago after stepping in with financial support.

Registration takes place between 9am and 9.45am and sets off from Stokesley Town Hall at 10am, taking in Great Ayton, Ingleby Greenhow and Clay Bank, before passing through villages including Great Broughton, Faceby, Hutton Rudby and Seamer, then returning to Stokesley. There will be refreshment stops on the way.

The entry fee is £10 in advance, £12 on the day and free for under-16s.

For more information visit: http://www.stokesleycharityride.org.uk/

To sponsor Jez Glennon visit: https://www.justgiving.com/JezGlennon