ROUND-the-world cyclist Reece Gledhill is heading home to Yeadon this weekend after an epic 24,000-mile journey.

The determined adventurer will be cycling the final stretch into Yorkshire on Saturday after his ten-month challenge.

He is expected to arrive at Yeadon Methodist Church Hall at 2pm – and his mum, Julie, is asking wellwishers to start arriving from 1pm so he can be welcomed home by a crowd.

Reece undertook the formidable endurance test to raise funds for the Scouts Association and UNICEF, and his family are hoping to raise more money at his home-coming with refreshments, face painting, a tombola and homemade Christmas cards.

His gruelling journey has taken him across challenging terrain and extreme conditions as he made his way through mountains, desserts and cities. He became so weak at one stage he was found collapsed by the side of the road.

But this week he was enjoying a well-earned rest as he flew back from America to the UK, although he is still planning to cycle the last leg of his journey back in England.

Reece embarked on his mammoth expedition across continents in a bid to raise £20,000 for his two chosen charities. He has been involved with the Scouts Association since the age of six, becoming a leader at the 16th Airedale Scout troop in Yeadon.

He has already previously spent two years travelling, and decided to raise money for UNICEF after seeing for himself the vital work the charity does.

His completely self-funded expedition has seen him cycle across Europe, Asia and America. Countries he travelled through include Serbia, Bulgaria, Russia, Mongolia, the USA and Canada.

Reece spent the last night of his trip overseas at the opening night and after-party of a show in New York.

He posted a photograph of himself in the early hours of Tuesday morning (British time) at JFK airport with the caption: "Well, here starts the countdown – 124 minutes until boarding and 154 minutes until departure. Its been a long time in the making... London, here I come!"

Looking forward to her son's home-coming, Julie said: "We have worried about him every single day – but all the family are in awe of what he has done.

"He is an amazing young man. I just hope he raises lots of money for the scouts and for UNICEF."

All the money raised will be split 50/50 between the two good causes.

Visit worldwidecycle.org to find out more.