From Land's End to John O'Groats 

From the 4th to 15th September 2007 intrepid mountain biker, Craig Morris took to the road to cycle from one end of Britain to the other in aid of FSID. This tough challenge took him from Land’s End to John O’Groats, a distance of almost 1000 miles in just 12 days, passing through some of the most stunning and remote countryside in the British Isles.

In his own words:

“I decided to raise money for FSID in memory of my wife's son, Tom, who died of cot death in December 1999 and as a tribute to her fortitude in not only overcoming that, but also in bringing up a family and getting herself in to University to study for a nursing degree”

Craig’s challenge really began eight months earlier as he embarked on a grueling training schedule, during which time he covered over twice the distance of the final route to ensure he was in peak condition before the challenge itself.

Land’s End to John O’Groats is the longest possible route in the British Isles. Starting at the southwesterly tip of England, Craig and his team mates pedaled through Cornwall, over Dartmoor and north along the Welsh border, skirting the Lake District into Scotland, via lochs and mountains to the north coast of Scotland, totaling over 60 hours in the saddle and climbing over 15,000 meters (approximately twice the height of Mount Everest!)

Here Craig describes the first and last day of his epic journey in his own words:

Day 1: “122km and 5 and a half hours over Dartmoor from Lands End to Liskeard. I think that's the hardest thing I've ever done. Some absolute monster climbs…My legs really ache…. It was agony but at the top I kissed the St Christopher Beth gave me and thought of her and the pain she must feel having lost Tom. That's why I'm here. “

Day 12: “In my mind I thought the last day would be some sort of grand procession. Cheering crowds, warm sunshine, rose petals cast in front of my wheels as we coasted to the finish line in front of an adoring public. The reality could not be further from the truth. The final ride of 98km involved some tortuously steep hills and treacherous descents, made so by a bitterly cold northerly Arctic wind carrying hail and icy cold rain driven into our faces.”

Then…

“A feeling of enormous satisfaction engulfed me. I hugged and kissed Beth and we men shook hands and clapped each other heartily on each other’s backs.

I want to thank all of you that have supported me in any way, shape or form whether it be practical help, donations or just words of encouragement…A massive thank you to Beth for all her support, help and encouragement, its taken nine months' hard work that I literally couldn’t have done without her. And to Tom Barker, in whose memory I undertook and achieved this challenge. I hope I have in some small way helped.”

Craig achieved an incredible fundraising total of over £5,000 and FSID would like thank him and his family for all their tremendous support and hard work. It’s not too late to show him your support- visit http://www.justgiving.com/CraigMorrisFSID to sponsor him now.

If you would like to take part in a sponsored event for FSID or organise your own call us on 020 7222 8003 or email fundraising@fsid.org.uk