Donations for partner and family of Mike Hall triple £20,000 target in a day

An appeal to raise money for the partner and family of ultracyclist Mike Hall, killed this morning while competing in the Indian Pacific Wheel Race,  passed its £20,000 target in a matter of hours and donations are still flooding in, with more than £60,000 at last count.

The 35-year-old lost his life in a collision involving a car on the Monaro Highway, south of Canberra at 6.20am this morning in news that has shocked the cycling community in Britain, Australia and beyond.

> Tributes paid to British ultracyclist Mike Hall following his death today during Indian Pacific Wheel Race

He had been lying second in the race behind Kristof Allegaert, a three-time winner of the Transcontinental race that Hall founded, and the Belgian rider was among those to pay tribute to him.

The race has been cancelled and organisers are planning a ride in tribute to Hall in Sydney on Sunday.

A Just Giving page was set up by ultracyclist James Hayden “to raise money to help Anna (Mike's partner), and Mike's family in this difficult time.”

He wrote: “Mike will be remembered by us all for his kindness, good heart and bravery.

“Mike was a shining light in many of our lives, enabling us to find the best of ourselves. 

“My sincere thoughts and love are with Anna, and Mike's Family. 

“Keep pedalling Mike.”

At the time of writing, donations of more than £60,000 have been made.

You can contribute here.