Five friends complete 1,000 mile cycling challenge

FIVE friends from Melksham have successfully completed their ambition to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

Neil Young, Keith Jefferies, Dan Aldridge, and Mark and Steve Gerrish cycled the 1,000 mile journey in ten days, to raise money for their chosen charities, Great Western Air Ambulance and Cancer Research UK.

Neil said, “It was an ambition that we all shared and, as keen cyclists, it was something that had been on our bucket lists for a while.

“The cycle went very well. It was a fantastic experience, one we will never forget. It all went to plan and not one puncture or breakdown, how lucky! The toughest days were in Cornwall and the last day on our approach to the finish line. The weather threw everything at us during our ten-day journey which dampened our spirits a bit on day five, but the last three days were glorious in Scotland, as was the scenery.

“The fundraising has gone very well and we were overwhelmed with the support we received from family and friends. We should have all the donations in very soon but  I think we have almost reached our target of £3,000, which we are so chuffed about.

“We have been invited to Filton Airfield on 7th July to meet paramedics and the team from Great Western Air Ambulance and we’re really looking forward to that.”