A south London Travis Perkins branch manager has smashed his fundraising target after completing a gruelling Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle ride, which he described as the experience of his life.

Richard Galloway raised £5,091 with an impressive more than 180 donations after taking on the 1026-mile challenge over two weeks.

The 60-year-old branch manager at Travis Perkins Croydon Hampton Road said the ride had been far tougher than he expected, but that it had all been worth it to raise much-needed funds for the Alzheimer's Society, a cause close to his heart and the business' chosen charity.

Dementia is the UK's biggest killer and one in three people born today will develop the illness in their lifetime. Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading dementia charity, providing help and hope to everyone affected.

Taking on the huge physical endurance feat in memory of his father-in-law, his maternal aunt, and his best friend's dad, Galloway said: "This was an incredible personal, memory ride for me - Alzheimer's is devastating and I've seen first-hand how it affects people.

"It's heartbreaking, and the reason I took on the challenge: I knew I wanted to do something that could make a difference. Every penny will go towards supporting Alzheimer's Society and the vital research they do.

"A massive thank you to everyone who donated to the cause – you kept me going and I couldn't have done it without you."

Galloway took up cycling just seven years ago, and prior to the challenge had never spent more than two days back-to-back in the saddle. Lands End to John O'Groats saw him cycle between 60 and 80 miles a day for two full weeks.

Galloway said of the challenge: "I definitely underestimated how hard it would be. Some days were awful: the hills, the rain, and at times I got very dehydrated and had problems with my calves.

"But it was the experience of a lifetime. We had 80 miles to ride on the last day and it was pouring, the clouds were rolling down the hills on either side of us. But as we approached the end the sun came out, and I felt like my Aunt Ann and my father-in-law Brian were shining this brilliant light on me. I was in tears, it was just incredible."

The charity ride saw Richard lose almost a stone over two weeks, burning up to 5,000 calories a day. And the 23 strangers he started out with are now firm friends with plans to meet up for more rides.