Two life-long friends completed a cycle ride of the country to raise funds for Hopsiscare in memory of Sandie Trelease.

A Budleigh Salterton retained firefighter has completed an emotional 933-mile cycle challenge in memory of his mum, Sandie Trelease.

Richard Trelease, 26, of Armytage Road, teamed up with life-long friend Jonathan Hawkins, also 26, of Sherwood Drive, Exmouth, to cycle the length of the country in aid of Hospiscare.

The friends’ efforts riding from John O’Groats to Lands End have raised almost �1,000 for the charity which in 2009 cared for Richard’s mum in her last days while battling a brain tumour.

Unlike many others tackling the challenge, the pair set off without a back-up team – choosing to navigate their own way around, while carrying their own gear.

Two days before leaving they both endured a full and painful body wax to raise extra funds for Hospiscare.

Some nine days and 933 miles after leaving John O’Groats, the friends arrived at Lands End to be toasted in champagne by Richard’s firefighter dad, John.

Richard, who became friends with Jonathan when the pair met as pupils of Brixington Primary School, said: “It was an amazing moment. I was proud and emotional and I am not even an emotional person.”

Personal trainer Jonathan said: “I knew it would be an adventure. It was definitely a hell of an adventure. I would do it again – but in a couple of years’ time.”

The friends spent between 12 and 13 hours a day cycling, clocking up 130 miles in one day alone.

They slept at fire stations, bed and breakfasts and hostels along the way.

As well as battling the elements en-route, the pair endured navigational errors and were escorted off the motorway in Scotland by the police when an out-of-date map sent them the wrong way.

A detour also added an extra 20 miles to their journey when they had to back-track near Loch Ness, reaching the retained fire station at Fort William for the night at 10pm.

Jonathan said his worst moment was suffering hypothermia, while Richard’s was being ‘soaked to the skin’ with no accommodation prospects.

Most of the journey was spent battling against headwinds. Strong winds forced them to pedal downhill in the Highlands, while at Kendal, in the Lake District, the wind was so strong the pair were almost blown to a standstill.

Former Bicton College student Jonathan said: “The weather wasn’t on our side. It felt like the man upstairs really didn’t want us to go.”

Their nine-day challenge shaved two days off friends’ efforts in 2009.

The pair thanked the fire stations who gave them accommodation.

? Richard and Jonathan are still collecting donations for Hospiscare. Go to http://www.justgiving.com/SANDIE-TRELEASE