Brecon’s annual BEAST Mountain Bike event held in September has again come to the assistance of local charities and good causes.

The event attracted more than 800 riders from acoss the UK and enabled organisers to make donations totalling £10,000 this year. Since its inception back in 2002 it has donated a total of £85,860 to good causes.

Jason Thorne of Bi-ped Cycles said he was pleased that the event has raised so much for charity.

The event’s main beneficiary, the Keith Morris Memorial Fund, provides help and assistance to persons with disabilities. The fund received £5,800 and Brecon Mountain Rescue Team received £3,000.

Kevin Harding, fundraising coordinator for Brecon MRT, said the team was once again grateful to the Beast. He said the team had seen another busy year with 96 call outs to date and the money raised will be wisely used for the teams continued commitment in helping and assisting many people each year who find themselves in dangerous and life threatening circumstances. It cost the team around £39,000 each year to maintain its operational ability.

Other smaller sums were awarded to Usk House (£500), Ysgol Penmaes (£500) and Brecon Lions (£200).