'Put the area on the map': Thousands of pounds gifted following the success of Haywards Heath Bike Ride

Over £16,000 has been presented to two locals charities following the success of the Greater Haywards Heath Bike Ride 2026

Kangaroos, a local organisation providing clubs and trips for those with learning disabilities, and Crawley Open House, helping homeless and disadvantaged people, joined Bike Ride volunteers to celebrate success of the 2026 Haywards Heath Bike Ride.

Bike Ride Committee and sponsors pictured with representatives of the chosen charities.

placeholder image — Bike Ride Committee and sponsors pictured with representatives of the chosen charities.

Cheques totalling over £16,000 were presented to Emma Hunt and Ian Wilkins, representatives of the two charities.

The money presented was raised from the success of the Greater Haywards Heath Bike Ride, where around 600 participants pre-registered.

Mike Oliver, Town Mayor Duncan Pascoe and Kangaroo representatives pictured together with the cheque.

Chairman of the Bike Ride, Mike Oliver, said: “A great day was had by all and we were delighted with the turnout. It’s our pleasure to be presenting such handsome sums to the charities which is down to the generosity of all involved and all the riders who entered.

“Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who turned out on a bright and sunny Sunday morning to marshal the four routes over the day, as well as those who manned the Registration and Feed stations or spent the previous two days putting up signs – and, of course, checking them all at 4.30 am on the day!”

The town council would also like to thank the sponsors of the Bike Ride, SweepTech, The Orchards, Mike Oliver Associates, Mansell McTaggart and Amphibian Scaffolding.

At the presentation evening at Haywards Heath Town Hall on Wednesday October 21, Town Mayor Duncan Pascoe was in attendance.

Crawley Open House representatives pictured with Haywards Heath Town Mayor in cheque presentation

He said: “It's really not possible without all of the support and the collaboration that we have from the people in this room.

"It was great, you know, we had to select a new date this year and I think the team really came together.

"Huge support from Barry and the support from the Town Council team, but also from all your individual involvement. Great leadership from Mike, of course, throughout leading the bike ride.

“Also thanks to all the sponsors that have been able to make this possible...your sponsorship makes such a big impact for us to be able to really sell this bike ride to the community so we can raise the money that we need to support charities that are really important to us”.

Following the success of this year, event organisers hope to make next year’s event bigger with the aim to ‘put the area on the map’.