A DORSET charity is urging people to get on their bikes.

The first ever virtual edition of Prudential RideLondon – billed as the world’s greatest festival of cycling – will take place on August 15-16 to celebrate cycling and raise funds to help save the UK’s charities.

Relate Dorset and South Wiltshire, like many other charities, has been hugely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic as fundraising events have been either postponed or cancelled.

The virtual cycle event offers Relate supporters, of all ages and abilities, the opportunity to take part in a fantastic challenge and raise crucial funds.

It is free and can be done anywhere. It offers people the chance to tackle a range of distances based on the events included in the traditional RideLondon weekend.

The four challenges to choose from are a 100-mile ride; 46-mile ride; 19-mile ride; FreeCycle – set your own challenge (starting from 1km) on the wheels of your choice.

Hugh Brasher, Event Director, said: “After the disappointment of the cancellation of Prudential RideLondon, we were determined to create something special for our riders, partners and the hundreds of charities that rely on the event for vital income.

“My Prudential RideLondon is completely free and offers a fundraising challenge for everyone, whether that’s an amateur rider doing 100 miles or a family enjoying a 1km bike ride together. It can be done wherever you are and at any time on 15 or 16 August.”

Relate Dorset and South Wiltshire provides counselling and relationship support and education to individuals, couples and families of all configurations, and to young people.

A spokesman said: “Your support will help us to survive the impact of Covid-19 so that we can continue to provide this much needed service.It will also help us to ensure that anyone can access our support, regardless of financial circumstances. This is going to be important in our post-lockdown world as people recover from the financial and emotional impact of this crisis.

“The Prudential MyRideLondon event is a way to have fun at the same time as giving charities like ours a chance of a future.”

Participants who wish to ride for Relate Dorset and South Wiltshire need to register in advance and select their challenge at www.myridelondon.co.uk. The site provides a link to Virgin Money Giving where they can set a fundraising page.