A STOCKTON man raised more than £5,000 for youth homelessness after cycling more than 1,000 miles in ten days.

Father-of-two, Graeme Holdsworth, 37, spent more 80 hours cycling from John O’Groats to Lands End to raise money for Centrepoint.

Mr Holdsworth said: "There were some real highs and lows on the trip.

"Setting out early at five or six o’clock each morning by myself was exhausting, being confronted by extremes of weather and having to constantly renew a supply of failing waterproofs was also a struggle.

"The gruelling up hill challenges took a leg-breaking step by step approach and slow progress at times.

"But reaching speeds of 53mph through some of the most outstanding scenery I have ever seen, having a constant supply of supportive text messages from friends and family, and knowing that the money I was raising for Centrepoint will make a vital difference was great motivation and such an immense sense of achievement."

Head of fundraising at Centrepoint John Raynham said: "The money that Graeme has raised will have a huge impact on the work that Centrepoint does supporting around 800 homeless young people every day and it is still possible to show support for his great triumph at www.justgiving.com/graemeholdsworth."