A BIKE ride in memory of a martial arts master has raised over £2,500 for charity.

Several tae kwon do clubs joined together to cycle 21 miles in honour of Joan Britton, who died from cancer, aged 67, in April this year.

Thirty-two people, aged seven to 65, rode between Malton Park picnic area on the A691, near Lanchester, to Esh Winning, earlier this month to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Shorter rides were available for younger members

The five mile ride turned at Diggerland in Langley Park and the 13-mile at Broom Park.

Organiser Neil Hockworth, from Quaking Houses, near Stanley, the head instructor from the Chi Tae Kwon Do club in Lanchester, said: “Joan was a popular and much-loved senior member of the Chi family and had been an instructor in all aspects of tae kwon do for over 25 years.

“It was a wonderful tribute to a wonderful lady who will be sorely missed by the greater tae kwon do community.

“Although the purpose of the ride was perhaps somewhat serious, there was much laughter and fun with everyone enjoying the day. There is already talk of next year.”