A CYCLING event which raises cash for charity has failed to attract funding from a council committee.

The Redbridge Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research Group made an application for £415.94 as there was a shortfall in funding for the Redbridge Bikeathon which it helps organise.

Last night Redbridge Council's Area One Committee turned down the application which means the money will come out of funds that was raised by the event for the charity.

The event on June 13 involved 250 pupils from schools across the borough.

The charity ride, which is just under a mile, took place at Valentines Park in Ilford and members of the Area One Committee felt they could not stump up the £415 as the event was not held in Wanstead.

Peter Goody, Conservative councillor for Snaresbrook Ward, said: "I have no doubt this is a worthy event but I'm struggling to see how it falls to us in Area One to contribute to it."

Mr Goody questioned why an application for funding was coming after the event had taken place and suggested Roger North, treasurer of Redbridge Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research Group, ask the Area Seven Committee, where the event was held, for funding.

Mr North, of Chadwell Heath, said the cost of the event has declined each year as it attracts more sponsors but it still requires some council funding to help get it off the ground and help maximise the amount that goes to the charity.

He said there is no central budget at the council to apply to for the event and for the past eight years other area committees have contributed cash.

The 61-year-old said: "I was disgusted by the attitudes to be honest, when you consider this is the ninth year we've done it and they are the only committee that has refused funding."

Mr North said almost £2 million has been contributed to the charity by the branch in 37 years.

He said the application was made retrospectively because the group's former chairman had been ill while the event was being organised and a council officer had said a retrospective application would be allowed.

He also said it was a borough-wide event and Wanstead's Our Lady of Lourdes School had won the trophy twice in the past.