A CYCLIST has raised over £10,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society after embarking on a 951-mile journey across the country.

David Merrett, from Frampton-on-Severn, cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise the money in support of his sister Serena, who sufferers from MS.

He raised £10,076 in total for the charity while his friend, Kevin House, who also took part in the event, raised £6,980 for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Serena was sadly diagnosed with the disease over 20 years ago, and after previously raising £1,000 in 2015, David was keen to go even further this time around during the two-week journey.

"I didn't want to do everything again so quickly", he said. "I thought in four years we'll have a real big push which will give us time to really prepare and progress.

"And if we can help other people suffering with the money we've raised then that's brilliant. We'd set the target of £5,000 each, so £10,000 in total. And we obviously did much better than that intended target."

David said he enjoyed the challenges that the event provided.

"Most days were pretty good," he said. "The first couple of days were the hardest because that was in Devon and Cornwall which are quite hilly but once we’d got into the routine, it was quite good.

"We only had two days of rain, we got to the Scottish border to take photographs and then it rained for the next six hours unfortunately.

"You can do 100 miles quite easily in a day, but getting on a bike the next day is the difficult part. It's hard to train your body to keep going day after day, but once you get into a routine it's not too bad.

"I’d like to thank all of the people that sponsored us and everyone who has supported us. We also got help from the Chalford band organisation, who kindly did the concert and donated the money they would have charged.

"And also to Andrew Jarred, who was giving us ideas on how to get things set up."

David and Serena's mum Susan, said: “This cause is incredibly close to our hearts and I am so very proud of David and his friend Kevin for their huge achievement.

"I also want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported them and donated to the MS Society. Our family has seen my daughter Serena struggle so much with this condition over the last few years, and we do not want to see others go through the same thing.

"It’s exciting to know researchers believe we can stop MS, and the money raised will hopefully go some way towards making that happen.”

To make a donation go to, uk.virginmoneygiving.com/daveandkevlejog