AN annual sportive has raised over £10,000 for Manorlands.

The Bronte Sportive, now in its 11th year, saw 250 people get on their bikes in support of the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice.

Participants could choose to tackle one of six Bronte-themed routes.

The longest ­— Heathcliff, at 92.9 miles – is recognised as one of the toughest sportives in the UK.

Also on offer was the Charlotte, at 74 miles; the Emily, 49.8 miles; Anne, at 29 miles; the 24-mile Branwell and Patrick, which covered 9.9 miles.

All the routes included Haworth Main Street and the option of a timed hill climb challenge in tribute to the late Chris Mitchell, who received care from Manorlands before his death in 2018.

Winner of the hill climb challenge ­— in just over two minutes – was Andy Cunningham, who was also quickest to complete the Heathcliff route, which he finished in five hours, ten minutes and 58 seconds.

The sportive, which was sponsored by All Terrain Cycles, was followed by a barbecue at Keighley College.

There was also an option for people to participate in the event virtually, anywhere in the world, and everyone who took part received a medal.

Miki Mitchell, community fundraising officer at Manorlands, said: "The Bronte Sportive is open to everyone and it was fantastic to see so many people, of all ages and abilities, come together and take on a challenge for an important cause.

"Thank you to our sponsor All Terrain Cycles, our volunteers who supported the event, the Queensbury Queens of the Mountain Cycling Club for manning refreshment stops and cheering on the riders, and of course to all the cyclists who saddled up and helped us raise this brilliant total.

"Every pound raised helps us to be there when it matters for people going through the most difficult time of their lives."

Manorlands supports patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families at the hospice and in the community, across an area covering Craven, Airedale and Wharfedale as well as parts of Bradford.

All services are free to patients and their loved ones, but it costs £10,000 a day to keep the hospice doors open – or £3.6m a year.

Only a small part of the cost, £1.2m, is covered by statutory funding.

Most of the funds have to be raised through voluntary donations.

For details of other Sue Ryder fundraising challenges, go to sueryder.org/events.