A TOUR de France winning cycling legend was the guest of honour at the tenth anniversary bash celebrating a Cumbrian charity event.

Stephen Roche, who won cycling’s most three most prestigious prizes in 1987, claiming the Tour along with the Giro Italia and the World Championships, attended a dinner evening for the Fred Whitton Challenge at Kendal’s Castle Green Hotel.

The Fred Whitton Challenge is reknown as the hardest ‘sportif’ (one-day cycling endurance event) in the UK. It follows a 112 mile route traversing the Hardknott, Wrynose, Kirkstone, Newlands and Whinlatter passes. It has become so popular that entries sell out within hours.

This year the event raised £60,000 for good causes, including Macmillan Cancer Support and the Dave Rayner Fund - which allows promising young riders to train and race on the continent.

“It was an absolutely brilliant night,” said organisor Sally Loftus. “We were really pleased Stephen could come. He was so down to Earth. He would speak to everyone and answered their questions.

“He was a big draw, as soon as people knew he was coming everyone wanted to get tickets.”