A MAN from Rawdon has raised thousands of pounds for charity by cycling to Scotland and back in a day.

Lee Gilbank, 33 took on the huge challenge with his friends, Kevin Harley and Mark Jagger to raise money for Sunshine and Smiles, a Leeds-based charity that supports people with down-syndrome.

Lee has been raising thousands of pounds for the charity ever since a colleague, who has a child with down syndrome made him aware of the “incredible work” they do.

The trio set off from Steinbeck community centre at 4 am on July 25 and made their way through Bolton Abbey, Hawes, Kirkby Stephen, Penrith, Carlisle and Gretna, as well as taking on Fleet Moss each way, climbing heights of up 16400ft and returned 18 hours later.

“I try to do an event every year to support Sunshine and Smiles because they’re just amazing people. They give families speech therapy, and run different events and just support families in general throughout the year.”

“Someone I used to work with explained to me how much this charity helped him and his family so I’ve supported them for 5 or six years now,” Lee said.

Lee explained that it was the longest on-road challenge he’s ever cycled, but the support the team had from other challenges was “invaluable.”

“We had so much support from others. Four cyclists joined us on the way back in Carlisle to help pull us in, and someone else joined for the last 30 miles from Bolton Abbey.”

“We had loads of support from local and national businesses, with Meays Butchers in Rawdon providing us with pork pies and pasties to keep us going, Paria a Leeds-based cycling kit designer sorted all of the jerseys for us to wear and David Butterell Photography spent the whole day in the car taking pictures for people free of charge which was lovely.”

The group has raised almost £4,000 so far.

“It’s the longest distance I've ever ridden on the road. It is by far one of the things I’m most proud of and one of the most fun days I’ve ever had too. The view was just amazing on the way up,” he said.

In the past, Lee has taken on challenges such as cycling for 24 hours on an exercise bike for the charity, as well as a 100-mile bike road – and he said he will plan another challenge for next year.