Heart Kids Bingo Ride at Teretonga Park offered people an opportunity to ride around the circuit on their bikes while raising funds for Heart Kids Southland.
The charity offers practical and emotional support to about 120 families in the region.
Heart Kids Southland treasurer Ismay Howden was overwhelmed by the support in its first bingo ride.
After eight years, the charity had decided to replace the annual ride from Milford Sound to Invercargill with the new event.
She believed it was ‘‘more inclusive’’ and helped to create greater awareness of congenital heart defects.
‘‘On average, it takes nine hours to perform open-heart surgery. For many of our heart families that’s the longest hours of their life. So to show their support, groups can get together to complete this fun nine-hour cycle challenge,’’ she said.
