A PAIR of lifelong friends endured a gruelling cycling challenge to raise more than £5,000 for Sutton Scotney hospices.

Dan Piernicki and Paul Bowers, known as the JOGLE Brothers, took on the mammoth route to raise vital funds for Naomi House and Jacksplace.

Throughout July, the Southampton residents cycled the equivalent distance of John O’Groats to Land’s End visiting each of the charity’s 21 shops across the Wessex along the way.

Lisa Congdon, senior fundraiser at Naomi House and Jacksplace, said: “Dan and Paul have shown great determination with this epic cycle challenge, they have shown a real dedication to raise as much as possible and have raised an incredible amount.”

The friends completed the 874 mile journey on Sunday August 1, crossing the finish line at the hospices in Sutton Scotney.

Mr Piernicki said: "This has been the most rewarding and punishing challenge. It’s been amazing to meet so many wonderful volunteers and staff. I’m just glad we could raise some

money to help them.”

Mr Bowers added: "We’d probably bitten off more than we could chew with this challenge but it’s for a great cause. The thought of any amount of help that can be provided with the money raised is what gets us by each mile.”