John's delight at 'End to End' challenge achievement

As revealed in last week’s Times, the former Ballyclare High School pupil didn’t even own a bike three months ago. But he and several of his friends managed to make the exhausting trip the length of Britain from Land’s End to John o’Groats last week, despite a few scrapes along the way.

“It was fairly painful at times as expected, but mostly enjoyable,” a delighted John told the Times. “It was quite miraculous that we made it as there were a few incidents en route. Day three saw two of our group crashing into each other at a busy roundabout, which could have ended the ride for both of them, but fortunately our support car was able to get the bikes to a local cycle shop for repair.

“Day four was probably the toughest - Preston to Thornhill, north of Dumfries - with a huge climb over Shap Fell in the Lake District and a total distance of 141 miles.

“The following day brought more incidents as one of the riders, Andy Taylor, was involved in a collision with a car at another roundabout. He was cut and bruised but otherwise ok. Also that day, another rider, Henry Wilkinson, came off his bike at around 20mph and sustained cuts to his back and right arm, but was fortunate to miss the oncoming traffic as he slid across the road.

“Overall it was tough, but we saw some fantastic scenery and all of us were glad we did it, especially when having a bottle of bubbly at John o'Groats to celebrate the achievement,” he added.

The 27-year-old dentist, who now lives in Southampton, and his friends are hoping their efforts will help raise 10,000 for the Round Table Children’s Wish - a small charity that grants wishes for children with life-threatening and terminal illnesses.

John expressed his thanks to everyone who has supported their fundraising effort so far, but has reminded anyone who would still like to help that they can make a donation online at www.justgiving.co.uk/950miles7days