CYCLISTS from South West Surrey competing in this year’s Prudential RideLondon-Surrey event helped swell the total sum raised for charity to a record £12.75million.

Macmillan Cancer Support raised almost £560,000 and became the first charity to raise more than £500,000 from the event in one year.

Bloodwise, Alzheimer’s Society and Prostate Cancer UK were among the many other charities that raised six-figure sums and all are already hard at work planning fundraising for the 2018 Prudential RideLondon-Surrey events.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I’d like to pay tribute to the efforts of every cyclist who helped to raise record-breaking amounts of money for good causes at Prudential RideLondon 2017.

“The event has become a major fixture in London’s calendar, raising millions of pounds for charity and inspiring thousands to take up cycling. It’s yet another great demonstration of how London is open.”

Denise Turner-Stewart, Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for communities, said: “After another year of record-breaking fundraising for good causes, the tally now stands at £53million over five years – a fantastic achievement which highlights the wider benefits of the Prudential RideLondon events.

“All those who helped towards this huge sum deserve our sincere thanks and I’m looking forward to welcoming riders back to Surrey next summer.”

At the inaugural event in 2013, 16,000 riders raised more than £7million and in 2014 the 20,709 finishers battled through heavy rain and wind on a shortened route to break the £10million barrier.

In 2015, 25,564 finishers raised more than £12million, setting a new fundraising record for a cycling event in Europe and that total was matched by the 29,692 finishers in 2016.

Macmillan Cancer Support’s Eleanor Hoare said: “We’re hugely grateful to everyone that got involved in Prudential RideLondon-Surrey to support Macmillan.

“Almost 600 people took part and raised a fantastic amount of money, all of which will help us continue to support the growing number of people living with cancer across the UK.

“Last year was Macmillan’s biggest and best year at Prudential RideLondon yet, so we’re already excited for this year’s event.”

A team of 540 riders raised £350,000 for blood cancer research charity Bloodwise. whose Matt Lawley said: “To see more than 500 riders in Bloodwise colours taking part in this spectacular event was really something special, with each and every one helping to fund blood cancer research that will benefit patients with blood cancer such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

“While we have made great strides in finding better treatments, sadly the disease is still the third biggest cancer killer and the fifth most common cancer, and many patients still experience harsh long-term side-effects.

“That’s why events like Prudential RideLondon-Surrey are so important in ensuring we can continue to fund the research that will save, and improve, the lives of even more patients.”

Prudential group chief executive Mike Wells said: “It is great to achieve another record-breaking year for this inspiring event. Prudential looks forward to continuing its support for the world’s greatest festival of cycling and I am confident we can achieve even more in 2018.”

Event director Hugh Brasher said: “We are firmly established as one of the most successful fundraising sports events in the world.

“We thank all the riders for their fantastic fundraising efforts and look forward to breaking more records in 2018.”

•Entries for this year’s race on July 29, are open. Go to www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/events/100/entries/