THE hills and woods of Dartmoor were alive with mud, sweat and gears last Sunday as hundreds of people donned their yellow T-shirts and got on their bikes in support of St Luke’s Hospice, Plymouth.

Once again, the charity’s annual Tour de Moor cycling challenge was a huge success, with adrenalin-seekers taking on the tough 23km route or the gruelling 52km route, putting their skills to the ultimate test by tackling the hills up to Princetown.

Young families took part in their droves, too, following the more gentle 11km route along Drake’s Trail, enjoying ‘selfie’ stops, a hot chocolate and a quiz along the way.

Tour de Moor provides for every level of cycling ability while raising vital funds that help St Luke’s extend its specialist end of life care to more people who desperately need it at home, in hospital and at the specialist unit at Turnchapel.

Braving the 52km route was a father taking on the toughest challenge in memory of his beloved son. It was a poignant day for Chris Weir, 69, participating to support St Luke’s following their care for son Mark, who sadly passed away in January this year aged just 36. Mark was admitted to the specialist unit at Turnchapel over Christmas following time in hospital.

At Turnchapel, Mark was able to spend precious time with visiting family, including his children, who received support through St Luke’s Patches pre-bereavement programme for youngsters facing the loss of a parent.

Clive said: ‘Mark was always up for a challenge. He was so brave and I’m so proud of him. St Luke’s gave such great care, which helped him to die peacefully but also to live until he died.

‘Events like Tour de Moor are important because the more people who know about St Luke’s, the greater their impact.’

Also among the riders was Rob Northcott from Princetown who did the 52km route on a unicycle, ‘because I haven’t got a mountain bike’ he laughed.

‘It’s the speed that is the problem. Because its fixed gears, top speed is a bit slower than a bike but the rest of is not to bad,’ he said.

Tour de Moor raised almost £100,000 last year and once again the funds raised from Sunday will help the care St Luke’s gives everywhere from Salcombe to East Cornwall via Tavistock and the moors, supporting families as much as patients.

Claire Luckhurst, event fundraiser for St Luke’s, said: ‘What a fantastic day! We’re hugely grateful to everyone who’s braved the course.

‘It’s an incredible achievement and the money they’ve raised will go direct to our compassionate care for patients and their families when time is running short.

‘Everyone who took part has done us all proud!.’

St Luke’s expressed thanks to Maristow Estate and Buckland Abbey for providing the use of their land this year.

They also thanked Dartmoor National Park Authority and Devon and Cornwall 4x4 Response for their vital support and the Plume of Feathers pub at Princetown for help with facilities.