A TEAM of cyclists have signed up to ride more than 1,000 miles to raise cash for charities which have been affected by the coronavirus.

Seventeen Darlington Rotarians and friends will be sponsored to cycle a socially distanced marathon circuit – 26.2 miles - around the town some time during the weekend of June 19 to 21.

The marathon effort will raise money for organisations affected by the Covid-19.

All those taking part will cycle individually at a time to suit them so they adhere to social distancing rules, and will take pictures to show they completed the route.

Rotary members had been due to go on a charitable cycle ride in Germany, but the event had to be cancelled as a result of the pandemic.

Nigel Little, senior vice president of Darlington Rotary, who is organising the event said: “We have completed a sponsored ride every year for the past seven years and have so far raised more then £50,000 for mainly local charities.

“In April this year the team was due to tackle a sponsored cycle to Mulheim in Germany where we have a sister Rotary club, but clearly that has fallen victim to the Covid pandemic.”

Mr Little said all cyclists will complete at least one marathon circuit, but some more experienced riders will do 100 miles or more.

It is expected the total mileage will be up to 1,400 miles.

He added: “We would like to raise at least £1,000. Most of the money will be spent locally to help organisations, groups and individuals who have been badly affected by the crisis.”

Darlington Rotary has already donated more than £6,500 to local causes since the pandemic began, including amounts to St Teresa’s Hospice, the Samaritans, Age UK Darlington, Darlington Memorial Hospital, the King’s foodbank, the 500 club and Daisy Chain in Darlington and Family Help.

President Sue Campbell said: “Rotary is there to help as many people as we can and we are finding new ways of raising money to enable us to do that.

"The cycle ride to Mulheim has been postponed until next April, but that doesn’t mean our team can’t get on their bikes and raise some much needed cash nearer home.”

Sponsor the team by visiting The Darlington Rotary Club Charitable Trust page on www. uk.virginmoneygiving.com.