Riders at a community fundraising event for charity PEDALL – New Forest Inclusive Cycling more than doubled a collective target of pedalling 1,407km in 12 hours. 

Supporters, sponsors, and cyclists of all ages and abilities helped raise £8,200 for the charity through the Pass the PEDALL event, with donations still open and with hopes of reaching the £10,000 fundraising target. 

Around 400 people attended the Pass the PEDALL event on Saturday 27 September at New Park Showground, Brockenhurst where they enjoyed a festival atmosphere complete with food and drink vendors, community groups, and local cycle providers. 

A collective distance of more than 3,200km was reached at the dawn until dusk challenge – the equivalent of riding from Land’s End to John O’Groats and back, plus some – using PEDALL’s fleet of specialist cycles.

Young people at the event rode more than 600km and brought an extra level of fun and competitive energy in their quest to earn prizes from lead sponsor, Chase the Sun. 

Friends, families, and volunteers lined the start-finish straight of the one-kilometre New Park track to cheer riders on and ring bells for every successful lap. 

Regular riding groups including SCARF New Forest (Supporting Children with Additional Needs, Relatives and Friends) and Dementia Friendly Hampshire joined the PEDALL team, as well as individuals and groups who booked timeslots or paid on the day. 

The one-day celebration built on the success of 2024’s inaugural event to celebrate inclusive and responsible cycling and wellbeing in the National Park – now it its 20th anniversary year. 

PEDALL – New Forest Inclusive Cycling Manager, Shelley Filby, said:  

‘Pass the PEDALL 2025 was an amazing day that reached and exceeded its collective goal. In fact, we more than doubled the 1,407km target distance with the help of our regular riders, the Chase the Sun community, and PEDALL supporters.  

‘Pass the PEDALL truly is a day of joyful community spirit helping spread awareness of inclusive cycling and the benefits of getting outside and being active in the New Forest in a supportive environment.’ 

New Forest NPA Access and Learning Manager, Jim Mitchell, said:  

‘It’s so inspiring that PEDALL has such a presence in the New Forest encouraging and supporting people of all abilities to get out and be active. 

‘This was proven by the hundreds of people who got involved with Pass the PEDALL and rode around or supported the event in the heart of the National Park.

‘People really enjoyed themselves at Pass the PEDALL and the day was a real celebration of cycling and wellbeing for all in the New Forest.’ 

Leaders in sunrise-to-sunset cycle challenges and long-distance cycling events, Chase the Sun returned as the event’s lead sponsor for 2025. Other sponsors included Lyndhurst Financial Management, Atomos, Harwoods, Majaco, and Scott Bailey. 

PEDALL is a partnership project between the New Forest National Park Authority and charity Friends of PEDALL, with support from the NHS and Forestry England. PEDALL is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and other generous supporters, including South Western Railway. 

Find out more about PEDALL – New Forest Inclusive Cycling and how to support the project on the charity’s website.