The event initially raised £4,500, but the total was boosted by a further £2,500 due to private sponsorship from two riders, taking the overall amount to £7,000.

The costs to support one child for one week at Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice total £4,200, with care for a day for six children costing £3,600.

Marc Dwyer, challenge events officer at Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be the beneficiary charity of the Deeley Group and Coventry Road Club Starley Sportive. The event was a huge success, with hundreds of cyclists enjoying the day and raising £7,000 for Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice.

“The babies and infants that come to Zoë’s Place have life-limiting or life threatening illnesses. They face challenges every day that many of us would take for granted. So it really is apt that people took on the challenge of a bike ride to help us.

“We extend our thanks to everyone involved, particularly the organisers and Deeley Group for hosting the event and of course all of the cyclists for taking part.

“We have many more events on our calendar this year, including a Coventry to Skegness Bike Ride, and these can be seen at www.zoes-place.org.uk.”

The Starley Sportive also recognised the contributions of cycling innovators James Starley and John Kemp Starley, who both worked and lived in Coventry. It marked Coventry Road Club’s sixth sportive and followed on from the successful Deeley 80 Cycle Ride.

Ian Court, of the Coventry Road Club, said: “We’d like to thank all the riders that took part in this year’s Starley Sportive and helped to raise such a huge amount for Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice.
“In addition to the ride, we also held a great prize draw, raising £275 and I would like to thank all the companies that donated prizes.

“The event is one of the most anticipated events on our calendar and has grown year-on-year, especially with joining forces with the Deeley Group, we hope to attract even more riders for next year’s event.”
The ride started from the Deeley Group’s headquarters in Coventry, before heading out into the Warwickshire countryside, with riders able to choose from a 59 mile and 30 mile route to take.

Edward Hudson, business development manager at the Deeley Group, added: “It was great event and brilliant day especially as we exceeded our funding target.

“We have been long-standing supporters of Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice at the Deeley Group. The charity does brilliant work and it is fantastic that we have been able to raise so much to support them.”

For more information, head to http://www.deeley.co.uk/starley-sportive-raises-13000-charity/