A FATHER says raising £10,000 for charity after cycling 1,250 miles across the UK is “mind-blowing”.

Chris Dixon, of Potters Bar, began his trip in May in the hopes of raising money to build a community centre for elderly people in Barnet for the Open Door Appeal.

The 56-year-old, cycled 1,250 miles in total, starting from the most southerly part of the UK in Lizard point, Cornwall, to the most easterly point in Lowestoft, Suffolk.

He finished at Dunnet’s Head, the most northerly point of Britain, on June 19.

He said: “I haven’t long finished, and I’m back at work, but people are already asking me what I’m going to do next, but I really have no idea.

“My original target was £5,000 but I reluctantly increased it to £7,000, so for it to reach £10,000 is mind-blowing, thanks to everyone for their donations."

He took a three week break in between trips but was eager to start the second part.

His second journey began on May 28 at Lowestoft, for the 800 mile stretch to Corrachadh Mor in western Scotland.

He also started an online blog for supporters to keep updated with his challenge, and said the comments left on each post were encouraging

He said: “When I first began my journey, at the end of each day, I just wanted to sleep, but as it went on it got better, and I enjoyed it more.

“But the comments on the blog were great, I would read them and reply to them every night, and I really felt like people were riding with me.

“I am so pleased, but really cannot believe that I only had 15 minutes of drizzle throughout the whole journey. The hardest part was the hills in Cornwall, when I first began. But overall it went really well.”

“But one of the highlights was spotting orca or killer whales on the west coast of Scotland. The atmosphere and the scenery was amazing. My wife and I have paid to go on trip to spot them, and we hadn’t seen any, and now I have."

The Open Door Appeal is a charity run by the John Trotter Trust supported by Christ Church, St Albans Road, and Barnet.

In March 2012, the appeal were able to buy back the building that once served as the original place of worship and school for Christ Church.

Their aim is to restore the building, so it can open and offer facilities for older members of the community.

To date, the appeal has raised in excess of £1m, but an estimated amount of £145,496 is still needed.

You can still view the blog at nswe2016.wordpress.com and to donate visit mydonate.bt.com/events/chrisdixon