THE Guide Dogs for the Blind Association thanks all the readers who supported our challenge to enter the "world" of Lord of the Rings, for the recent spectacular, cycle-fundraising adventure challenge in New Zealand.

In fact, we are so delighted with the massive £150,000 raised from the cycling trips that we're going back to New Zealand early next year and hope we can entice some of your readers to join us.

Cycling 430km in five days, the challenge offers participants the chance to savour some of the most stunning scenery in New Zealand, recently brought to cinema screens in the film adaptation of J R R Tolkien's fantasy adventures.

Taking place between Christchurch and Queenstown, on the country's sparsely populated South Island, cyclists will witness volcanoes, fast-flowing rivers, alluvial plains, forests, sheer-sided lakes, and the spectacular Mount Cook.

You'll be raising money for a very good cause. It costs £10 a day to breed, train and support each of the charity's 5,000 guide dogs, so every pedal counts!

For further information, please phone me or my Guide Dogs' fundraising colleagues on 0845 600 6787 or log-on to www.nzbike.org.uk

Gary Murray

Guide Dogs' Events Co-ordinator