A TEAM of cycling fundraisers striving to secure a toddler’s walking future got their heads down, got on with it in the hope of raising £5,000.

Dad-of-two Gareth Stephenson, Steve Lloyd, 37, of Barry, Dafydd Beasley, 35, Jason Shears, 39, and Dan Wood, 32, have completed their epic John O’Groats to Land’s End journey as they pledged to JOGL4NOAH.

Gareth’s two-year old son Noah contracted meningitis, aged eight months, and had to have his lower left leg amputated in his battle against the virus.

So the team undertook the ten-day, 950-mile mission to help fund any future prosthetic legs and treatment that may not be available on the NHS.

Dad Gareth said the challenge was very hard physically and mentally, especially on monotonous days where the scenery was very samey or there were just hills after hills.

He said: “It mostly went very smoothly.

“Our biggest challenge was the camping each night element of the journey. Although we had my father and friend supporting us in a bus and racing ahead each night after last stop to set up, we still had to finish a 100-mile ride late each night, arrive at camp, help set up, then try our best to shower, eat and prepare food and clothes for the next day, that was by far the most challenging aspect. There were also the aches and pains to contend with each day and believe me every morning getting those legs warmed up and used to being in the saddle again was very tough.

“Dartmoor was a real toughie, although Scotland has the mountains which are stunning, nowhere seems to do challenging hills as good as Devon and Cornwall.

“Our first sight of the Kirkstone Pass towards Lake Windermere was jaw dropping, a mighty winding climb up into the heavens and a ridiculous slope was a sight I will never forget and a hard ride my thighs will never forget.

“Our most pleasurable rides came not out of terrain or difficulty but more the scenery and enjoyment of riding together.

“We all especially loved the lake district and the Glencoe range.

“We tried our best to have a laugh, take our time and enjoy each other's company and the surroundings, but sometimes it was a case of head down, get on with it to try and make up the miles to have a reasonable finish time and break.

“The camaraderie between the team and getting to grips with the fact we cycled the whole length of the country is something I will never forget. It was easy for me to take on the challenge as Noah is my son, but I have to thank my fellow riders and support team who have committed so much time, effort, training, money into the challenge often resulting in them missing their own families.

“I will always be indebted to them for that and I am truly grateful I have such wonderful friends.

“We didn't really get chance to stop and try out local delicacies, although our first larne and bacon roll in the Highlands came at the perfect time, it is basically a flat square cross between a burger and a sausage, but boy did it taste great.

"It still feels surreal having completed it and as my legs aren't too sore there isn't too much fuss from the family about what we've done apart from the giant UK poster we now have in our back room where the boys put stickers at each night's stay to track our progress while we were gone and the medal my family had made up for us hanging just above it.”

Gareth thanked those who have donated throughout the challenge’s journey.

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/75d2iw