CYCLING novices who endured blizzards and blisters in a 1,000-mile ride have raised almost £10,000 for end-of-life hospices.

A six-strong pack of pedal-powered men, including one with a hip replacement, rode from one end of the country to the other for Sobell House and Helen & Douglas House.

So far they have raised £9,500 for the Oxford hospices which care for terminally-ill patients in their last days of life.

Adam Dewar, 33, set himself the challenge of cycling from Lands' End in Cornwall to John O' Groats in Scotland after having a hip replaced just two years ago.

The father-of-three, who lives in Southmoor, said: "When I found I needed it I wanted to have something to aim for. I thought I had pulled a muscle but doctors told me I was born with abnormal hips.

"All my life the cartilage had been wearing down, it was bone on bone. I thought about grinning and bearing it but then thought how much I still wanted to do while I'm young."

His cycling challenge, completed earlier this month, was inspired by schoolfriend Shaun Claridge who he met as a baby having been born in the next hospital bed.

Mr Claridge, who lives in Abingdon, cycled the route alone years ago and repeated his feat by joining the latest cycle.

The 34-year-old said: "We wanted to get people who hadn't done cycling before - some of them didn't even own a bike. We thought it would have more impact, just laymen. It was quite a bit more of an adventure."

They recruited four more men through social media - Sam Gissing, Roland Mayer-Jones, Greg Muden and Nick Woolley - who set off on their journey from Cornwall on April 23.

They battled with poor weather for the 12-day ride, stopping only for quick breaks until they reached pre-booked bed and breakfasts.

Mr Claridge said: "We were cycling through hail and snow, it was fairly horrific weather. We had several muscle strains and punctures from luggage problems, it was an absolute trial.

"Everybody had a couple of times they nearly gave up. There was lots of sickness because you just ingest all the spray on the road.

"It felt fantastic at the end, and knowing we weren't all cyclists added to that feeling of elation."

Mr Dewar added: "The winds were so high against us that we were going at seven miles an hour. It was tough, the wind blistered our ears and lips.

"But it was a brilliant way to see the country, Ben Nevis and Loch Ness were absolutely beautiful."

To boost donations they hosted an auction, which included items donated by Sobell and Oxford United.

They were sponsored by Purple Turtle bar in Oxford which paid for their kit and towards the cost of eating on the trip.

To help them break the £10,000 milestone visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/purpleturtle.