THOUSANDS of bikers roared onto Brighton seafront for a charity get together.

The annual Brightona event returned for its 11th year and raised £35,000 for cardiac services at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The three-day event came to a close yesterday and featured the traditional morning ride across the city.

The Mayor of Brighton and Hove Brian Fitch was among those arriving on Madeira Drive on the back of a bike and he also enjoyed a jive with his wife Norah during the music on the seafront.

The day also boasted motorcycle equipment stalls, a wall of death display, and live folk and rock music, all run by volunteers.

The event, which was started in 2003 by Abby Goldin, 72, and his partner Val, has raised a total of £169,000 in 11 years.

Mr Goldin, who suffered a heart attack 27 years ago, said the money was raised to buy specialist equipment for Royal Sussex County Hospital which the NHS couldn’t supply.

Mr Goldin, who used to do motorcycle shows for a living, said: “We hope people understand this is for charity.

“All the money we raise goes to the cardiac department of Royal Sussex County Hospital, and every helper volunteers.”

So far, the money raised from the event has enabled the department to buy equipment such as an optical coherence tomography machine, which allows surgeons to see tissues at microscopic resolution and other pioneering equipment for patients.

Rachael Coles, 47, from Peacehaven, who has been volunteering for Brightona for four years, and is now a director and trustee of the event, said: “People think of bikers and are scared or have a certain view, but Brightona is a family event that welcomes everyone.”

“Most of the people here volunteering have had experience with heart problems or have friends and family that have. It’s a great feeling to give something back.”