GENEROUS Waitrose shoppers helped a group of cycling novices raise more than £850 ahead of a charity bike ride next year.

Despite the pre-Christmas rush customers at the Mill Lane store dug deep to show their support for the cyclists planning to ride to the Isle of Wight and back to raise money for the Swindon Stroke Support Group.

The trip, organised by Nick Hill and Simon Turner, is set to take place on June 18, and aims to raise at least £2,000.

The group will travel 70 miles to Southampton before crossing the English Channel to East Cowes and cycling around the island.

Nick, 30, said: “There are 11 people already signed up and eight of us are bus drivers. When we set it up I didn’t think there would be so many people interested, I thought one or two people would sign up but not that many.”

Nick wanted to do something for the Swindon Stroke Support Group to help raise money and awareness.

He said: “The Swindon Stroke Support Group is a charity that’s quite close to my heart. My auntie and uncle were both members and my auntie used to be the chairman.

“They’re only a very small charity and don’t get the recognition other charities do, but what they do is so important.

“They have social evenings every week where they can all play games and bingo and anything else they can think of. They also do regular trips.

“We just wanted to do something really big and really different to try and raise some money.”

Among the volunteers helping with the bag pack was North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson and his wife, Jo.

He said: “Myself and Jo were delighted to join the fantastic team of volunteers.”

For more information about the cycle ride, and how you can sponsor the team, visit facebook.com /sssgIsleofwightcharityride.