A DOCTOR from Burnley has completed a 970-mile cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of Pendleside Hospice.

Dr Ian Maudsley is relieved to have crossed the finishing line after the nine-day expedition, during which two out of his team of four were forced to drop out.

The challenge saw one pal succumb to a knee injury, on the third day, and another suffered a broken elbow in a crash on the penultimate day.

But Dr Maudsley, well known not only as a GP at Parkside Surgery, but as the club doctor for Burnley Football Club, said there were ‘many positive experiences’ gained from the lonng-distance ride, which saw the team stay in bed and breakfasts, and hostels, along the route.

And he is overjoyed that he is within touching distance of his £2,000 fundraising target for the Reedley hospice, where he has worked as an out-of-hours doctor for 17 years.

The 46-year-old, of Stephenson Drive, Ightenhill, said: “The journey was challenging and quite hard.

“We were doing around 100 miles per day.

“I’m quite pleased I’ve raised so much money for Pendleside Hospice because I know the work that goes on there.”

His ‘JustGiving’ fundraising website is still online at www.justgiving.com/docdoeslejog