A novice cyclist has completed a 1,000 mile bike ride in memory of his mother who died from cancer last year.
Leigh Thistlewaite, 27, began his journey from John O’Groats to Lands End on September 18 – the first anniversary of his mum Denise Taylor’s death.
The electrician who lives in Fountains Way, Oswaldtwistle, decided to take up the challenge in aid of the East Lancashire Hospice where his mum spent her final days.
Leigh said: "It was a positive way for me to deal with everything on the day. I started the journey with my brother-in-law Mark Smith but he got injured part way through it."
The entire trip took 12 days to complete and the riders had to cycle up to 80 miles a day.
As Leigh had done little cycling prior to his journey, he said he wasn’t completely prepared for the challenge.
Leigh said: "When Mark had to drop out, it was really hard.
"It was hard to go at it alone but I pushed myself and managed to knock two days off my target.
To celebrate his achievement his wife Sarah organised a surprise party to mark Leigh’s achievement and raise even more money for the hospice.
Dad-of-three Leigh hopes to raise £3,000. He said: "I think my mum would be shocked by all of this. It is a great way to give something back to the hospice which does so much for cancer sufferers and their families. They took very good care of my mum."
Denise first developed the disease in 2000.
She went into remission but in December 2008 she was told the cancer had returned.
