A WEST Devon-born cyclist raised thousands of pounds for a Tavistock support group by challenging himself to a 901-mile ride across Britain.
Darren Evans, originally from Tavistock but now living in Switzerland, set himself the challenge of cycling from John O'Groats to Land's End in eight days to raise money for the Tavistock Parkinson's UK support group — his parents Val and Dave still live in the town and his father has battled with Parkinson's for many years.
Although his target was eight days, Darren completed it in six days and seven hours, raising £2,146 for the group.
He said: 'I had enjoyed planning this trip from start to finish, but then the time came to live by my decisions. The furthest I had ever cycled before in a day was 112 miles, so the planned 151 miles on day one seemed somewhat ambitious.
'It was a wonderful feeling after six days to be freewheeling down towards the finish line. I had been taken aback by people's generosity, with donations coming from both the UK and Switzerland. The support and kind donations are really appreciated by the Tavistock Parkinson's UK Support Group and will be put to good use.
'I would also like to thank my brother, Matthew, who drove up and down the UK, doing an excellent job as my support driver, and everyone who helped with the fundraising.'
Tavistock's Parkinson's UK Support Group meets at the Anchorage Centre on the last Tuesday of every month from 10.30am to noon.
It is open to anyone whose life has been affected by Parkinson's. New members are always welcome. For more information visit http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/southwest">www.parkinsons.org.uk/southwest