ABINGDON resident Shaun Claridge is set to raise over £4,000 after a gruelling solo-cycle in memory of a school friend.

David Bull died of cancer in 2004 aged just 21. Mr Claridge, 31, decided to mark the 10th anniversary of his death by cycling the 950 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for Cancer Research. He said: “It’s quite a big thing to lose a schoolmate when you’re that young, and it hit us all hard. As it was the anniversary I decided to try something to raise money.”

The engineer service support co-ordinator said: “I’d done a little bit of cycling, but nothing major. I did the trip completely solo. There was no one else with me. It was amazing, it was a pretty unforgettable experience and I was blessed with the weather. It was only the last couple of days when it turned into nasty blanket fog.”

But he admitted it wasn’t all easy. “There are pretty rough bits when you’re by yourself, you need to pull yourself through. You can’t rely on others.”

He completed the journey last week, and has already raised almost £3,000.

To add to his funds donate visit justgiving.com/shaun-claridge