Cyclist has completed a bike ride from Land's End to John O'Groats in just nine days, raising thousands for St George's Hospital.

Kevin McGovern was raising money for the Izzy Wilson Fund in memory of Izzy Wilson who spent a lot of time within the children's wards of St George's Hospital, before contracting a virus to which she lost her life.

Kevin's son Billy was born at a similar time to Izzy and their families were close.

Kevin took on The Ride Across Britain to support the fund set up in Izzy's memory and to honour her ambition to make childrens' stays in hospital as happy and enjoyable as possible.

The challenge consists of completing 110 miles a day and the revelation is the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest... twice.

Kevin managed to complete the gruelling challenge and has so far raised over £10,000.

Speaking to St George's Hospital Charity before he took on the climb, Kevin said: "Life accelerated as it does with the ups and downs and taking a lot for granted then, 'bang!' Something happens that makes you stop and put everything into perspective.

"For me, that event was just 11 years later in January 2020, standing at Izzie's funeral, my eyes streaming and running through a helter-skelter of emotions with many of those same friends as we grieved with Izzie's family after she'd lost her tough battles with illness.

"I've always loved cycling but the training for this has been a real step up. I've been lucky, riding and training with a load of new friends in the real world who've pushed, encouraged and carried me on longer and longer rides.

"So whilst I think I've done the miles it's been in sunny Spain or in my basement. I've no doubt the wind and the rain of a British autumn will test my resolve and the thought of the worthy causes I'm riding for will be the motivating factor to get up that next hill whilst the sleet tries to blow me back down."

Upon completing the incredible challenge Kevin said: "A lot of laughs, smiles, frowns, grimaces, and a few tears but I pedalled every mile, climbed every hill! 970 miles in 9 days across the UK. The sense of camaraderie was inspiring. Everyone encouraging everyone on.

"We outran the forecast storms and had 5 glorious days of sunshine through the Southwest, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire.

"My Spanish 40-degree training saw me in great shape as my co-riders wilted in 28', I felt smug. My smugness melted and hypothermia set in when Scotland bit back. Freezing rains combined with wind and the hills. Spectacular as the scenery probably was you couldn't always see it!"

You can still donate to congratulate him on this amazing achievement on his fundraising page.

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