Leeds cyclist raises more than £10,000 after world record-breaking ride around England

A Leeds cyclist has completed an 11-day, 2,007-mile solo charity cycling world record while raising more than £10,000 for local charities.

Martin Mansell completed his ambitious attempt to cycle the full perimeter of England finishing after 11 days and averaging 169 miles a day as he arrived at the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease.

Starting from the Humber Bridge on June 25, Mansell followed a continuous route around England’s coastline and along its borders with Wales and Scotland, passing key landmarks including the east coast, Dover, Land’s End, Chester, Carlisle and the Northumberland coast before returning to Yorkshire.

It marks the final chapter in Mansell’s three-year series of endurance challenges. The latest attempt has raised more than £10,000 so far, taking the total raised across the three challenges to £81,000.

The challenge concluded with a final day's ride on July 7 to the Yorkshire Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, with the finish line at the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Seacroft.

Mansell, CEO of EnjoyTravel.com, said: “I'm feeling absolutely shattered. The final 48 hours were brutal, it was a massive push cycling 380 miles from Carlisle across Northumberland and then down the east coast, with 230 miles on the final day.

“Everything in my body was in pain - feet, toes, ankles, hands, wrists. As much as anything I'm relieved to have finished it and delighted to have completely the target and raised money for the charities – which is now £81,000 across the three challenges.

“I have to admit there were times when I was close to quitting. I have to thank the phenomenal support team for getting me through knowing just how tired they were too with 48 hour non-stop rides through the nights - my family kept me going with messages of love and support.”

A series of fundraising initiatives ran alongside the challenge, including a public sweepstake to predict Mansell’s finishing time.

Funds raised will support two Yorkshire-based charities: the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease through Leeds Hospitals Charity, and Yorkshire Children’s Charity, which supports children living with disabilities and hardship across the region.

You can donate to Martin's fundraising page here