Following on from his 100km cycle last year, Matt Planterose is once again donning his cycling lycra, but this time he's going for the big one. Lands End to John o' Groats. A total of approx 960 miles. Matt has spent lockdown training to take on the challenge, which will take 9 days to complete.

A bit about the Charity: The Grace Crocker Family Support Foundation was set up in January 2011, in memory of Grace Crocker, who grew her angel wings aged 11 weeks. Grace was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (A congenital heart disorder in which the left side of the heart is underdeveloped), and had open-heart surgery when she was just 5 days old. Her family lived in Jersey, and so they had to move to Southampton for three months whilst Grace recovered from her surgery, including her brother and sister as well as her mum and dad.

As a result of their own experience, they set up this charity with the support of friends and family, with the aim to help with both emotional and financial support to other families from Jersey who need to spend time in the UK whilst their child receives medical treatment in a hospital.

So please dig deep and donate to this worthy charity and give Matt some more motivation to cycle almost 1000 miles!

Challenge Progress Updates:

Day One:
10th September 2020.
The challenge has begun! Highlights of the ride for Matt today were the fab weather, seeing horse poo being advertised for sale, riding through a village called Minions, climbing 9600ft and enjoying a Cornish pasty. 

Day Two:
11th September 2020.
Highlights of the ride for today were the Quantock Hills and Cheddar Gorge.

Day Three:
12th September 2020.
Highlights of the ride for today were the view from the Severn Bridge and riding through the Rye Valley. Today was an easier day, as the ride was just over 100 miles and with a lot less elevation. 

Day Four:
13th September 2020. 
Highlights of the ride for today were the beautiful Shropshire and Cheshire countrysides. A quite nice flat route today. 

Day Five:
14th September 2020.
Highlights of the ride today were the amazing views through the Lake District and conquering the mighty Shap Fell. Feeling knackered today after the longest of the rides now over. 

Day Six:
15th September 2020.
Not the most interesting of rides today cycling through the Lowlands, but the time was filled by playing a good game of I-Spy. Each of the team members had to ring their bike bells whenever they had the answer. 

Day Seven:
16th September 2020.
A brutal ride for Day Seven, with the days route rated 5/5 for the Challenge Rating. Highlights today were seeing the Grampian Mountains and Braemar Castle. 

Day Eight:
17th September 2020.
Highlights of the day were the Steak's that were waiting for us as we arrived at our hotel for the evening. A game on the tartan pool table was also enjoyed. 

Day Nine:
18th September 2020.
After 985.10 miles, he's only gone and done it! Matt finished his little bike ride today, and as you can tell by the photo in the gallery he is chuffed to bits!