IAN NEAGUS has cycled more than 1,000 miles to raise money for charity. His journey from Land s End to John O Groats took 14 days. Ian, from Puckeridge, was raising money in memory of his late father Robert, who spent two weeks at the Isabel Hospice in We

IAN NEAGUS has cycled more than 1,000 miles to raise money for charity.

His journey from Land's End to John O'Groats took 14 days.

Ian, from Puckeridge, was raising money in memory of his late father Robert, who spent two weeks at the Isabel Hospice in Welwyn Garden City.

It was the care he had seen at the hospice that motivated Ian to jump on his bike and cycle the length of the UK with his work colleague Steve Lee.

In the end he raised almost £2,000 for the hospice.

Ian, 41, who works as a commercial portfolio and programme manager for IBM, said: "Finishing the journey really tugged on my emotions.

"I've experienced a sense of achievement and satisfaction as well as a sense of emptiness - which is strange.

"We spent two weeks cycling the length of the UK, and now it's over I don't know what to do with myself.

"It took a year to plan, and I spent every weekend for the past six months training."

Ian said he had enjoyed the physical challenge of the ride.

He said: "It was hard and the initial stages were very physical.

"But to be honest, all-in-all, it was actually quite comfortable.

"I expected to suffer a lot more, but after the fourth day things got a lot easier. It seemed the further we travelled the fitter we became."

The pair cycled about 75 miles a day.

Ian was joined in the later stages of the ride by wife Val, 39, son Oliver, eight, and five-year-old daughter Francesca.

"In the second week my family joined me in Brampton, near Carlisle, before making their way to Scotland.

"It was a fantastic boost to see them all and it really lifted my spirits," he said.

Philomena Roche of the Isabel Hospice, said: "We are delighted that Ian has completed his cycle ride in aid of the hospice. Cycling 1,017 miles in 14 days takes a lot of courage and determination."

Ian said: "I felt that this was the least that I could do to pay back the care that the hospice provided for the whole family during my dad's illness.

"They were very supportive, and as a family we are extremely appreciative of what they all do.

"They helped us through a difficult time, so two weeks' suffering on a bike was the least I could do.