A charity bike ride that saw just one team member left is coming to an end with a skydive to boost donations.

At the end of July this year, Broke.Bike.Mountain set off on an 8,000 km journey across Europe with just their bikes.

The team consisted of Louis Blaxill, George Jones and Calum Craig, all aged 23. They had just finished their studies and wanted to raise money for Mind, a charity close their hearts having seen the effects of mental illness in their friends at university.

They headed off through France, Holland, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Italy, Austria and Spain with decorating supplies merchant Kent Blaxill sponsoring their journey.

The journey has not been an easy one. Jones was knocked off his bike in a car accident in Verona, and Craig suffered a knee injury, leaving Blaxill to continue alone until his father Simon Blaxill, Managing Director of Kent Blaxill, joined him to cross the finish line this weekend in Seville.

Broke.Bike.Mountain has already raised £7,500, but to give funds a last-minute boost, Louis challenged his mother Jill Blaxill, who works in Kent Blaxill’s Colchester branch, to join him and his father in Spain and complete a sponsored skydive. She agreed and jumped out of a plane on Tuesday, raising more than £6,000 so far.

She said: “While I really can’t say I’m wasn’t a little apprehensive, I’m so proud of the boys and I wanted to help them raise as much as possible - this seemed like a good idea when my son Louis challenged me and I really enjoyed the whole experience!”

Simon Blaxill said: “I am so proud of the boys - but I am equally proud of Jill for her bravery and I re-ally hope the jump helps push up the total figure raised for Mind – I am sure many friends and col-leagues will support her.”

Pictured (L-R) George Jones, Jill Blaxill and Louis Blaxill.