A LEEK man has cycled to Scotland to help local youngsters embark on an overseas trip.

Stuart Day, aged 37, pedalled 314 miles from Leek to Kirkcaldy over three days last week.

Leek born and bred Stuart, a domestic energy assessor, took on the solo challenge to help send members of the Leek Army Cadets to Este for the Italian Remembrance Day events in November.

Stuart, of Sandon Street, began his athletic fund-raising challenges five years ago when he took part in the Potteries Half Marathon with former work colleagues.

Since then, he has completed five more half marathons and two full marathons.

Of his recent cycle challenge, Stuart said: "I wanted to do something different and as my daughter Chloe, from a previous relationship, lives up in Scotland, it was another opportunity to visit.

"I do go up every other weekend to see her anyway."

Stuart said: "There was a mixture of weather for my journey, with two days of torrential rain.

"I was not necessarily cold as it was such hard work but it was so uncomfortable, as I had such soggy feet. I even stopped off at a cycle shop to buy some boot protectors."

Stuart said: "I am over the moon about completing this challenge and although I have not had all the sponsors in yet, I am hoping that I have raised almost £1,000 for Leek Army Cadets.

"I believe the Army Cadets are in need of around £7,000 to be able to go to the Armistice activities in Italy.

Stuart said: "I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored me including family, friends and my former driver colleagues at Sainsbury's Distribution in Stoke, who have also helped me to train.

"Special thanks also to my partner Jan Rowe for supporting me, my step-daughter Clare who is an Army Cadet and has organised a car boot sale to help raise the money and to my mum and dad, Helen and Eric, for following me and meeting up with me at certain spots of the journey in their motor-home."

Stuart is not intending to stop there with his fund-raising challenges.

He said: "I am now thinking of something like John O'Groats to Land's End."