The Big Bike Ride returns this year to Betteshanger Country Park, Deal with plans to donate funds raised to the Save the Children Ukraine Appeal.

Riders can join the cycling challenge, which is organised by the KM Charity Team, and choose to raise money for their chosen charity, including the appeal. If participants do select the appeal as their chosen cause, the KMCT has pledged to give the full amount of funds raised to Ukraine.

Any funds raised from the Big Bike Ride are usually divided between the chosen charity, who receive 70% of the donations, and the KMCT, who put the remainder towards covering their costs and delivering their Kent-wide education programmes.

This year, however, any participants who cycle to raise money for the Save the Children Ukraine Appeal will see 100% of their donation go towards the charity appeal.

The Big Bike Ride gives cyclists the choice of a 50k or 100k route, in either East Kent on Sunday, 24 April or in West Kent later this year in the autumn.

The routes take riders on a picturesque journey through nearby Kent towns and villages.

The East Kent ride, which starts and ends at Betteshanger Country Park, is a varied route with occasional hills covering the beautiful Kent countryside and, for those taking on the 100k challenge, extends out to the coast.

The West Kent ride will be another rural route which winds through nearby villages and the Hoo Peninsula.

The Big Bike Ride is not open to anyone under the age of 12.

Riders aged to 12-17 will need parental consent to take part, and must be accompanied on the route by a responsible adult.

You can find out more details, including how to sign up for the first ride, here.