An Ealing businessman cycled 1,000 miles in just nine days to raise £2,500 for children’s charity Action Medical Research.

Brent Wilkinson, 41, from West Ealing pedalled 115 miles a day from Lands End to John O’ Groats for the UK End2End challenge.

Mr Wilkinson, who is setting up new deli business Cheddar Deli on Northfield Avenue, joined a group of 140 cyclists, including TV news reader Dermot Murnaghan.

He said: “Taking part in the ride was more of a challenge than I had ever expected. The wind, sleet and even some snow pushed us to our limits but our determination to finish saw us through.”

Mr Wilkinson trained for seven months to prepare for the ride and lost two-and-a-half stone in the process.

Event organiser Matt Buck from Action Medical Research said: “They should all feel very proud of their achievement and the fantastic amount of money raised to help sick babies and children.

“The event lived up to its reputation as the toughest cycling challenge the UK has to offer.”

In total the ride has so far raised more than £340,000 and the money will help fund medical research into conditions affecting babies and children.

Research currently being supported by Action Medical Research includes work around premature birth, cerebral palsy, meningitis and epilepsy, as well as some very rare and distressing conditions that severely affect children.

Anyone interested in taking part in the next UK End2End ride from 26 May to 5 June 2012 can sign up now. For more information visit the website www.action.org.uk/end2end2012 or call 01403 327442.