CYCLISTS in Thornbury came together last night to welcome a group passing through the town while riding the length of the country.

Members of Thornbury Cycling Club (TCC) celebrated the efforts of Gav Clews and his team as they arrived on the Thornbury leg of a “JOGLE” challenge – racing from John O’Groat’s to Land’s End.

Covering 900 miles in eight days, the team will be arriving at their destination tomorrow, riding in memory of Gav’s dad Al, who lost his fight with kidney disease in January, and fundraising for Kidney Research UK.

The team have already raised more than £3,300, with more still to come.

Having travelled a distance of 104 miles on day six, having set off from Stafford, Gav was joined by the TCC riders from Whitminster to Thornbury.

Pete Jackson, founder of Thornbury Cycling Club, said: “We were approached by Gav’s support team to ask if we would welcome him and the team into Thornbury and were more than happy to help.

“A JOGLE challenge is no mean feat, especially when it’s completed over eight days, and so we wanted provide the team with a little extra support – and a congratulatory beer of course!”

Gav, who stayed with the team overnight at Thornbury Golf Club, before setting off this morning, heading to Oakhampton, said: “The warm welcome we got from the Thornbury Cycling Club team really boosted our spirits as we came to the end of another gruelling but fantastic day.”

To sponsor Gav and the team, visit www.gavsbigjogle.com.