AN all-time record has been smashed after hundreds of bikers helped raise over £10,000 towards buying a guide dog puppy for the blind.

The Martin Jennings Memorial Charity Run takes place every year in memory of local rider Martin Jennings from Beacon near Camborne who tragically lost his life on the Isle of Man in 1987.

Last weekend hundreds of riders took part in the event which saw them following a route round west Cornwall starting in Truro and finishing in Falmouth, taking in Martin's home village where one a minute's silence was observed.

Crowds lined the route to support the bikers and gave money to the event's Just Giving Page.

Falmouth Packet:

David Saunby was presented with a cut glass vase by John Bassett of Truro at the start of last week's run, thanking him for all the effort he has put in over the past 34 years. Picture Keith Rashleigh

Posting on Facebook yesterday a jubilant David Saunby, who has organised the event for past 34 years, was ecstatic about the outcome.

"We have just crossed the finishing line and taken the chequered flag with a grand total of £10,071.94 [this is still increasing]," he said.

"This is an all time record of the most money ever raised over the past 34 years of the Martin Jennings Memorial Motorcycle Run.

"We are now on a lap of honour, thanking everyone who have donated to sponsor a Guide Dog for The Blind, from puppy training right through to being handed over to its new owner, and there is still more to come.

"Please keep donating, if you have not already done so.

"There will be a special thank you page set up soon.

"Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart in making it happen.

"A very emotional David."

Mr Saunby told the Packet: "It's unbelievable. I didn't think it would be possible, but people rose up and they came together and they've got this guide dog."

Mr Saunby has proposed that the new puppy should be a black lab with the name Kernow.

"There have been many suggestions of a name for our new guide dog puppy," he said. "I would like to propose the name "Kernow", because it represents everything Cornish, and the money raised was by the bikers of Cornwall, and by the residents of Cornwall.

"If all possible, I would love for the puppy to be a black Labrador, like in the picture, because of the black leathers that bikers often wear, and with a white harness, depicting the colours of the Cornish flag.

"But if a black Labrador is not possible, it will be loved all the same by the bikers of Cornwall and the people of Cornwall, where ever he or she will be working, I have no doubts about that."

You can still donate to the JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-saunby1