SOME people go the extra mile when it comes to fundraising, and in support of the Mayor's Charity Fund, Matt Smith, son of Great Yarmouth Mayor, Tony, is set to go nearly an extra 500.

SOME people go the extra mile when it comes to fundraising, and in support of the Mayor's Charity Fund, Matt Smith, son of Great Yarmouth Mayor, Tony, is set to go nearly an extra 500.

Joined by four friends, Matt, 31, is to set off on his bike from Land's End on Saturday, April 10. Almost 500 miles later he will reach the Ocean Room, Gorleston on Saturday, April 17 - the day of the Civic Ball, the culmination of the mayor's year in office.

Matt said: “My dad has spent his year as mayor passionately supporting the Borough of Great Yarmouth and doing some great work for his chosen charities.

“I too wanted to be able to support him and his chosen causes and the cycle ride will allow me to do this. I've completed the cycling element of the London Triathlon, but this ride is much longer and will certainly take some endurance to get back on the bike day after day.

“The civic ball is the biggest fundraising event of the year and it would be great if local people and businesses show their support by buying a ticket for the event, or by sponsoring the cycle ride.”

Ball tickets, �35, are available by contacting mayoral and civic events officer Laura Goodman at lauragoodman@great-yarmouth.gov.uk or call 01493 846125.

A raft of entertainment includes BBC Radio Norfolk's David Clayton returning to the Ocean Room - a venue that launched his DJ career and music from The Right Stuff.

Yarmouth Mayor, Tony Smith, said: “It has been a huge honour to be the mayor of the town in which I was born and I feel that we have made a real difference this year for the charities that I chose to back.

“The civic ball gives me a chance to have a real final push at raising more donations for those charities and I'm so proud that Matt and friends have decided to help us by undertaking this challenging cycle ride.

“I hope that the community of the borough of Great Yarmouth lend them their support and also buy tickets for the event - where the ride will finish, having set off from Cornwall a week before.”

Residents are encouraged to join the group for the final leg of the ride from Lowestoft to Gorleston and make donations online at www.mayorscharitybikeride.co.uk.

Cash is going to the mayor's chosen charities - St Nicholas Preservation Trust, Kingfisher Boxing Club and Winterton Marine Cadets.