A FATHER and son who cycled 600 miles from Scotland to Croydon to raise funds for the Stroke Association have been named the charity's 'fundraisers of the month'.
Steve Fagan, 56, along with his 30-year-old son Russell, have raised more than £5,000 by riding the length of the country over 10 days.
They celebrated their achievement with a pint at the finishing line - the Crown and Sceptre pub in South Croydon - where a representative from the charity thanked them for their efforts on September 20, Having set off from Montrose 10 days earlier.
Steve, a self-employed heating engineer from Selsdon, described the epic journey as "good fun" and said being named as September's 'fundraisers of the month' was a "complete surprise".
"In places it was hard work but overall it was a good experience, one I'll take to my old age with me.
"At the end of the day, we couldn't believe how much money we got into the kitty. We were absolutely delighted to raise so much.
"The thing is, without all the people that have sponsored us it was nothing, they're the ones who put the money to the cause."
The pair set left Montrose on September 10, cycling around 60 miles each day.
"When we started going south from Edinburgh there were more than a few undulations," said Steve. "I thought, if we get too much of this, it's going to be a little bit like hard work!"
But once they reached the flatter routes of Lincolnshire, it was all downhill from there.
"After three and a half days of up and down, it was all long straight roads, you could have pedalled along with your eyes closed.
"Overall, it was a great experience, one of those things I can look back on in years to come, but I'm not sure what I'm going to do with my Saturday mornings without all that training."
Steve refused to rule out a future return to the saddle, and mentioned the John O'Groats to Land's End ride could be next.
"We might try the big one from top to bottom, but it won't be for a while, I need to let myself recover first!"
Before they set off, Steve told the Advertiser he decided to raise the money for the Stroke Association because his close friend Dennis Marzetti passed away after suffering a stroke a few years ago.
You can still make a donation towards Steve and Russell's fundraising efforts at www.justgiving.com/Stevefagan
