PUNCTURES, lashing rain and gale force winds may sound like harsh conditions for riding a bicycle.

But for a dad who is cycling the country top to bottom in memory of his late son, it is all worth it.

Jeff Burnett, of Kennel Lane, Fetcham, and nine members of family and friends, started their long journey from John O'Groats to Lands End last Friday.

The ride is being undertaken in honour of Jeff's son Alastair, 6, who died of a rare form of leukaemia last year and is raising funds for the Royal Marsden cancer hospital.

Although much of the race was meant to be in fancy dress, each cyclist dressing up as a superhero, Mr Burnett says that the tempestuous Scottish weather "has been far too bad to be in costume".

Speaking to the Advertiser on Monday, shortly before crossing the border into Cumbria, Mr Burnett said: "Day one was just such a nightmare. We were completing 125 miles and we finished the last 40 miles in 30 to 40 mile per hour winds. It was character-building stuff.

"I ran a marathon a few years ago but this is way beyond that physically. I am really chuffed with how the guys have held up, we did lots of training."

But what has been the biggest spur to Mr Burnett is the support of the people at home and the people he has met along the way.

"The people have been brilliant, we have had a lot of generosity throughout ranging from taxi drivers giving part of our fare back to restaurants giving us free soup.

"The people we have met have been very interested in what we are doing and want to contribute."

So far the fundraising efforts have raised almost £50,000 for the Royal Marsden – twice the original target.

"It is just brilliant. It doesn't take away the pain of it but it confirms the support when you get donations.

"I love the JustGiving website. I read through the messages and some of them are quite touching and I get a lot of strength from that," Mr Burnett added.

Kate Burnett has, from their home, been supporting her husband through his arduous journey.

"It is almost too hard to put into words how amazing the whole thing is, how it has all come together, this thing we had in our heads.

"We have been planning this for the last six months and then suddenly they are actually doing it.

"I feel enormously proud of the reason why they are doing it and how it has bonded everybody together in thinking about Ali.

"Alastair had such a big challenge ahead of him and fought so bravely, it seems very apt."

If you want to donate or keep up with the ten-day journey you can visit http://alisbigride.blogspot.com