SINGAPORE - In the early hours of Saturday morning, more than 300 cyclists took to the roads in a fundraising event for Club Rainbow (Singapore).

Covering distances of 60km, 100km or 140km, they had raised at least $600 to $1,400 each, depending on the category, for the charity which supports children with chronic and potentially life-threatening illnesses.

Minister of a State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck, himself an avid cyclist and chair of the Cycling Facilitation Committee, flagged off the event just after midnight at The Cube, Asia Square. Some $785,000 was raised this year as at Sep 23. Since the annual event began in 2012, it has grown 10 times in terms of funds raised and participation.

The fundraiser's founding member Jerome Yuen, who is deputy executive director of Club Rainbow (Singapore), said it was heartwarming to see so many from the cycling community "standing up to be fund raisers for the children", as well as volunteers stepping forward to help run the event. "We are so thankful to everyone involved for making this happen and providing funds to support our work with the children and their families," he said.