Gainsborough: Group of 11 have cycled from Edinburgh to Gainsborough to raise money for the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance which helped save the life of their friend

In December last year their close friend, Adam Stead, from Scampton, was involved in a crash with a van while he was cycling home and had to be rushed to hospital by the air ambulance.

Among the group were West Lindsey District Council officers James Deacon and Darren Mellors.

James said: “It was grim but it was also loads of fun.

“We originally thought we were going to be on the road for around seven or eight hours a day, but it turned out to be about nine or more because of terrain and getting lost due to our GPS systems all messing us about.”

Setting off from the centre of Edinburgh, the group only encountered one short, sharp shower of rain during the whole trip, but it wasn’t without its mishaps.

James added: “We came down via Dunbar, stopping on the first night in Alnwick, however trying to go through the pedestrian tunnel from North to South Shields we found it was closed the one weekend we wanted to use it.

“This added about 15 miles to our ride that day, which wasn’t great.

“It meant that after going through Sunderland and Middleborough, we ended up going over the Yorkshire moors in the pitch dark.”

The group then wound their way down the country via Market Weighton, Goole and Crowle, before coming down to Gainsborough from the east side of the Trent.

They were met by some of the group’s children on bikes for the last quarter mile, before pulling in to the Elm Cottage to find 200 people all cheering them on.

Darren said: “That was a great moment. It was such a nice feeling after the distance.

“We’re so pleased with the amount raised.

“Our initial target was £2,000, and with all the fundraising we’ve done there’s about £8,000 in total.

“Having a Justgiving page has been really great.”

To raise further funds a charity ball is being held at Gainsborough Golf Club on Saturday, September 19.

Tickets are still available and to book call James’s wife Sarah on 07809 481833.

Tickets are £30 each, which includes a live band and a three course meal.

You can also donate money online.

Visit www.justgiving.com/burgh-to-borough.