TWO friends arrived in Land’s End two days ahead of schedule after cycling from the the tip of Scotland.

Berry Hill’s Paul Jones and Mitcheldean’s Mike Baggott set out from John O’Groats on Sunday, April 26, to raise funds for the Brody’s Trust sensory centre at Joys Green Primary near Lydbrook.

The trust was set up by Mike’s wife, Nikki, following the death of their 10-year-old son Brody in 2019.

He was unable to access therapeutic multi-sensory services and the trust was established to ensure other children locally had that opportunity.

Paul and Mike were scheduled to arrive at the Cornish landmark last Friday but finished on Wednesday.

Trustee Paul had long wanted to do the 900-mile ride and Nikki “kindly volunteered” Mike.

Their journey took them through the Forest and they were waved off from the sensory centre a week last Friday after a night back home.

Despite facing some huge hills and mountains in Scotland and northern England – including the 1,350ft Shap in Cumbria – Mike found The Stenders between Mitcheldean and Drybrook just as daunting.

Paul said: “The Stenders is a tiddler in comparison but because you know it, it hurts a little bit more.”

On a good day they covered 90 miles, but in poor conditions such as rain it might only be 30.

Among those wishing Paul and Mike well at the centre was the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire Fiona Reynolds, accompanied by the High Sheriff’s Cadet Taylor Hudson of Ruardean Woodside, a member of the Forest of Dean Police Cadets.

Mrs Hudson said: “I was invited to come here to meet the Brody’s Trust team, and it just happened that the cyclists were coming through on the same day... What Paul and Mike are doing is amazing.”

The ride has raised some £9,000. See Mike's and Paul's John O'Groats to Land's End Facebook and Crowdfunder pages.

For information about Brody's Trust, see https://www.brodys-trust.org and their Facebook page.