AN Aberystwyth father-and-son duo have helped raise more than £5,000 for charity after cycling more than 300 miles across the UK.

Penglais School pupil George Pitcher, 13, and his dad Mike, arrived “tired and a little sore, but smiling” at Southwold Pier, Suffolk, on Saturday, 15 April, after setting off from Aberystwyth Pier the previous Saturday.

George and Mike’s challenge is part of a bigger fundraising effort being organised by George’s auntie Suzy and her friend Debbie, who will be cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats in June.

The pair are raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust and the Ellen MacArthur Trust, both charities which support young people who have been affected by cancer, a cause close to George and Mike’s heart.

George’s cousin was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma — cancer of the femur — two-and-a-half years ago, and went on to endure 12 months of aggressive chemotherapy and debilitating operations.

Speaking to the Cambrian News after their arrival at Southwold Pier, George’s mum and Mike’s wife Heather said: “They’ve done it.

“They arrived on schedule in Southwold at 3.30pm today, tired and a little sore, but smiling.

“They cycled through 11 counties in total and covered over 320 miles — maybe more if you include the time they got lost.

“Our whole family was there to meet them — I am so pleased to have them back safe and sound.”

To donate, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/tandemlejog.

See this week’s Aberystwyth edition for the full story, in shops and online now