A retired teacher from Preston has raised £1,224 for Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

Simon Millward-Hopkins cycled 498.5 miles from his home in Fulwood through the five countries bordering the Irish Sea.

Simon, who worked at Garstang High (now Garstang Academy) for many years, devised and completed the cycle challenge with former colleague Brian Jensen.

The journey was made in thanks for treatment received by Simon’s wife Ruth, Brian, and other friends at Rosemere Cancer Centre.

The 10-day route took Simon and Brian up the A6 to Kendal and then on to Dumfries and Newton Stewart in Scotland before crossing the Irish Sea to Belfast and Dublin. There they caught the ferry to Holyhead in Wales, making their way home via Conwy and Mold.

Simon said: “It was extremely enjoyable – magnificent countryside and some of the best and most beautiful roads in the UK, but in places, it was also the hardest thing I have done on a bike and that includes five Land’s End to John O’Groats rides. It was however worth every puncture – I had five in all – pain and pedal stroke required.

“I dedicate the journey to Rosemere Cancer Foundation and to Rosemere Cancer Centre, where over the last year, Ruth, friends, fellow members of our Wheatsheaf pub quiz team and work colleagues have all been treated with unfailing care, compassion and professional efficiency and effectiveness.”

Read more: Fulwood grandad to cycle 300 miles from London to Brussels for charity

Find out more about Rosemere Cancer Foundation’s work to bring world class cancer treatments and services to its patients on the Rosemere website.

What do you think of Simon and Brian’s cycling challenge? Let us know in the comments below.