Andy RussellSeven painful days and 500 miles on his bike saw Matt Smith cycle from the most westerly to the most easterly place in Britain for charity.Matt, marketing manager at HA Fox Jaguar, Hunters Land Rover and Inchcape Volvo in Cromer Road, Norwich, was joined by fellow cyclist James and Lucy Anderson, Paul McGreggor and Neil Baker and a support crew of Vicky Sadler and Kevin Baker, on the charity ride, from Land's End to Yarmouth via Ness Point at Lowestoft.Andy Russell

Seven painful days and 500 miles on his bike saw Matt Smith cycle from the most westerly to the most easterly place in Britain for charity.

Matt, marketing manager at HA Fox Jaguar, Hunters Land Rover and Inchcape Volvo in Cromer Road, Norwich, was joined by fellow cyclist James and Lucy Anderson, Paul McGreggor and Neil Baker and a support crew of Vicky Sadler and Kevin Baker, on the charity ride, from Land's End to Yarmouth via Ness Point at Lowestoft.

Matt, son of mayor of Yarmouth, Tony Smith, along with his four friends dreamed up with the idea of completing a challenging bike ride to raise money for the Mayors Charity Fund.

Matt said: 'My dad has spent his year as mayor passionately supporting the borough of Great Yarmouth and doing some great work for his chosen charities. This ride enabled me and my friends to support him in helping his chosen causes.'

Through their website -

www.mayorscharitybikeride.co.uk - and getting sponsorship from family, friends and work colleagues, they set the target of raising �2,000 for the mayor's chosen causes: St Nicholas Preservation Trust; Kingfisher Boxing Club; and Winterton Marine Cadets.

After cycling into Yarmouth, Matt said: 'It is an amazing feeling completing the 500 miles. The hills in Devon and Cornwall made me doubt myself a few times, they really take it out of you.

'Aside from the five punctures, two broken spokes, a bent frame and James damaging his knee, we have all had lots of fun cycling back. I would love to do something similar again.'

With donations topping the �2,000 mark, Matt added: 'People have been very generous with their donations, and we are very thankful for their support. There is still more money to come in and I'm hoping that we can get the total close to �2,500.'

For more about the ride visit www.mayorscharitybikeride.co.uk

Donations to the fund can still be made at the above website or in person at Yarmouth Town Hall until Monday, May 17.