Cyclists put their fitness to the test by riding up to 40 miles for charity.

The St Albans Charity Cycle Ride took place last week, organised by the city’s rotary club to celebrate 25 years of the fundraising event.

Friends, families, volunteers and colleagues gathered to ride between 10 and 40 miles to raise money for The Counselling Foundation, Alzheimers Research UK and Secondary First.

The event coincided with Mental Health Awareness Week and was supported by St Albans Mayor Cllr Rosemary Farmer, who made Mind in Mid Herts as her charity for her 2018/19 year in office.

The foundation's grant manager Judy Mallinson said: “It was fantastic to see the community come out in their numbers to help raise funds for us and the other two charities.

“More people in St Albans will now benefit from having access to subsidised counselling sessions and we thank the organisers and those that attended, cycled or sponsored someone for helping us raise the profile of support available in our community.

“Parents and carers play a vital role in leading by example through modelling positive behaviour around keeping active, body image and eating healthily.”

Marketing officer at the foundation Angela Pask said: “The charity cycle ride was the perfect family fundraising event to promote the positive influence that physical exercise can have to improve our mental wellbeing and our attitudes to body image.

“We hope the charity cycle ride continues to inspire individuals and families to regain more balance in their lives by taking up cycling.

“There are further events like this that help raise not only much needed funds but awareness and knowledge of mental health and the benefits that counselling can have.”