An experienced Royal Navy sailor from the North East has successfully completed the gruelling 4,000-kilometre North Cape 4000 cycling challenge, raising vital funds for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

Max Termini  41, set off from Italy on July 20 and his incredible journey concluded on August 10, when he reached the North Cape in Norway.

Originally from Stockton and now stationed in Cyprus, Max has long had a passion for cycling, though his experience was mainly with mountain biking.

Max Termini, from Stockton, has completed the gruelling 4,000-kilometre North Cape 4000 cycling challengeMax Termini, from Stockton, has completed the gruelling 4,000-kilometre North Cape 4000 cycling challenge (Image: SSAFA)

Max said: "I’ve always been into cycling, but I only recently shifted to road biking after moving to Cyprus- the Cypriot roads were the perfect training ground for this adventure."

Max's decision to embark on the North Cape 4000 was driven by his love of travel and cycling, along with a deep desire to give back to SSAFA.

He said: "It started as a bit of a midlife crisis, but I thought why not combine my love for travel and cycling with raising money for a charity that’s close to my heart?"

SSAFA’s support has been a constant in Max’s life. While he worked for NAAFI in Germany, the charity provided crucial assistance to him and his family. His father-in-law also dedicated 20 years to SSAFA.

"They’ve done so much for families like mine- this ride was my way of saying thank you”, he added.

The North Cape 4000 posed significant challenges, from navigating diverse terrains to managing the logistics of a self-supported ride.

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Max said: "The hills were tough, especially since I’m used to flat roads, and the long hours in the saddle were demanding.

"But the opportunity to explore new countries and take on such a unique challenge made it all worth it."

Max has set up a JustGiving page to support his fundraising efforts. To contribute and support SSAFA, please visit Max's JustGiving page HERE.