Eastern Daily Press reporter David Blackmore managed to cycle all the way to France without leaving King's Lynn last week.

He covered the 139 miles separating the town and Calais, as the crow flies, on a static bike to raise money for charity.

The challenge started at 8am in the Vancouver Quarter shopping area in Lynn and 24-year-old David finished late Thursday afternoon.

'I started out not knowing how I would manage to cycle 50km let alone cover 223km, so I was delighted to cross that finish line and 'reach' Calais.

'I was amazed at the response of the public who cheered me on, donated money and showed such an interest in the Bobby Moore Fund,' he said.

A second exercise bike meant David could receive a little help from his friends along the way.

LA Fitness, KL.FM, Yours Networks, Sainsbury's and Vancouver Quarter staff all supported David for his challenge.

'So far I have raised more than �225 but am hoping that will go up to around �260 with more sponsorship money yet to come in. It was a fantastic day from start to finish. I was very grateful that it was slightly overcast because I am not sure how I would've coped had the weather been as hot as it has been recently,' he said.

David was raising money to help a charity project in Namibia through an international scheme run by the Bobby Moore Fund.

He needs to raise �4,000 – half of which goes to bowel cancer research – to make a trip to Africa later this year. He will join a group of volunteers helping to give a much-needed facelift to Tubusis Primary School in the Damaraland region.

It comes after David helped revamp a school in South Africa last year as part of a similar project for the charity.

To sponsor David, visit www.justgiving.com/davidblackmore4