CYCLISTS are being urged to join in the first British Heart Foundation sponsored bike ride in Kent taking place around the Thanet coastline.

Organisers hope that hundreds of people will be using their pedal power to help raise much-needed funds for the charity and raise awareness of its work, both locally and nationally.

The event, sponsored by kmfm radio, will be held on Sunday, October 15, along the 32-mile long Viking Coastal trail.

Cyclists can choose to start at one of three locations: the Roman Fort at Reculver, the Viking Ship at Pegwell Bay or at Joss Bay, and can cycle as much or as little of the route as they choose.

kmfm presenter Johnny Lewis aims to complete the entire circuit. He said: “I enjoy cycling. It is good exercise and also good for the heart.

"At the same time this ride is for a good cause and I hope that the people of Thanet and beyond will turn out to support an excellent cause.”

Emma Cross, event organiser for the British Heart Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be holding this event in Thanet.

“It is a beautiful route and one which will be attractive to the experienced and novice cyclist alike. Families are particularly welcome. We hope to raise around £10,000 through sponsorship.

“All funds raised make a huge difference to the BHF’s urgent fight against heart and circulatory disease – the UK’s single biggest killer.”

The historic and picturesque ride is suitable for all the family and takes in some of Kent’s most beautiful sandy beaches and idyllic country villages.

Ancient churches and museums, windmills and nature reserves are just some of the attractions to be seen on the ride.

Money raised from the cycle ride will help the nation’s heart charity continue to fund pioneering research into the causes and treatment of heart disease.

Someone suffers a heart attack every two minutes, and people are still more likely to die of heart and circulatory disease than any other serious illness.

Registration fees are: pre-event registration – £6 per adult, £3 per child under 15 and £15 for a family of two adults and two children; registration on the day – £8 per adult, £5 per child under 15, and £20 for a family of two adults and two children.

Registration on the day is from 8.30am, with the start at 9am. For further information on the British Heart Foundation Hearts First Viking Cycle call freephone 0808 100 2109 or register online at bhf.org.uk/vikingcycle

FACTFILE

* The British Heart Foundation is the nation’s heart charity, raising funds to accelerate life-saving research. It plays a leading role in the fight against heart and circulatory disease, the UK’s biggest killer.

* It is the largest independent funder of heart research in this country.

* It also plays an important role in funding education, both of the public and of health professionals, and in providing life-saving cardiac equipment and support for rehabilitation and patient care.

* The BHF is dependent upon volunteers and offers a range of interesting roles and opportunities across the region. For further information please call 01892 890002 or visit bhf.org/volunteer.