A CREWKERNE man has cycled for 24 hours non-stop around the West Country raising more than £2,000 for charity in the process.

Mark Hughes, whose 10-year-old daughter Sophie has the life-limiting Mitochondria disease, set off from Crewkerne before cycling 612km and finally finishing in Chard 24 hours later.

Mr Hughes said: “Well it's done and dusted now, and what a journey through mind and body it was.

“I started on Saturday night at 8.30pm and departed not feeling much really, just the feeling of going on a ride but with the strange sensation of starting it at half 8 on a Saturday night with people going in and out of the Indian takeaway next door with bemused looks on their faces.

“My daughter was in my head the whole way. Every day she puts up with pain, real pain, because she has no choice. I definitely found out a bit about myself on my journey and I would definitely do it again. Biggest thanks to the motivation on my top tube, Sophie and Molly.”

Mark has raised a total of £2193.10 for the Lily Foundation, and fund research into mitochondrial diseases.

Of Lily’s condition, Mark said: “Mitochondria are the powerhouses of almost every cell in the body. They generate the energy needed for all of us to live. They generate chemical energy similar to a battery, and internal organs need this energy to work properly. Similar to a power station, when there isn't enough, there are blackouts.

“Mitochondrial diseases span a wide range of varying severities, my daughter Sophie is sadly badly affected, but to research the broad spectrum requires a lot of funding.”

“Amazing experience. Thanks everyone especially Matt, Ian, Tristan, Luke and Tim for putting up with me. Biggest thanks go to my amazing Wife Kelly and Mother-in-law Karen for always being there with anything I needed. You’re the best.”