It’s the ultimate charity challenge to make the journey from John O’Groats to Land’s End without normal transport. Whether on foot, bike, horseback or even in a wheelchair, hundreds of people complete the 874-mile expedition across the length of Britain every year. But what inspires them to take on the challenge – and attempt to beat records in the process?
“Cycling uphill for three and a half miles from Penzance to Land’s End was bad. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
Any cyclist would probably struggle with the hills in Cornwall but for 83-year-old Peggy Keenor-Crome the inclines were the challenging finale to her bike ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End, known as the JOGLE.
Peggy hopes to have set a new record for the oldest person to complete the challenge by bike after finishing in just over two weeks.
The octogenarian, from Westward Ho! in Devon, arrived at Land’s End in the same week as 21-year-old Ella Fryer from Totnes, who also believes she has set a new record – as the youngest female to complete the route on foot.
While both are hoping to have broken records, they also have personal reasons for taking on the challenge.
For Ella the challenge was inspired by her struggle with mental health.
“I struggled a lot with my own mental health, especially when I was younger,” she said.
“I had really severe panic attacks, I could not go to school and could barely leave the house.
“When I got to that signpost at Land’s End I just held on to it for a minute and looked out at the sea to try and let it sink in that I actually got to Cornwall.
“I did the challenge for two mental health charities – Mind UK and the Running charity,” she added.