A CYCLIST has conquered his challenge of riding almost 500 miles from Largs in Scotland to East Cowes, only three years after receiving a stem cell transplant to treat Hodgkin lymphoma.

Nicholas Earley, 19, who was first treated for cancer in 2017 and relapsed the following year, achieved the epic feat with his older brother Matthew, with the pair arriving back on the Isle of Wight earlier this month, just six days after departing the west coast of Scotland.

The brothers were fundraising for the East Cowes-based Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, the Piam Brown Ward — the Wessex Children's Cancer Unit at University Hospital Southampton — and Teenage Cancer Trust, who all supported Nicholas during and after his treatment.

So far, they have raised £4,500, smashing their £3,000 target.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust uses sailing and outdoor adventure to inspire young people to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer.

Nicholas sailed with the trust in 2017 before his relapse and came up with the idea of riding between the trust’s two bases, in Largs Yacht Haven and East Cowes Marina, while in hospital.

Nicholas said: “That first sailing trip was amazing, I got a bit of confidence back, it was a good fun week in and around The Solent.

"I just wanted to give back to some of the charities that have helped me, and it seemed like the best option to go from one trust base to the other.

“The best bit of the ride was probably the Lake District, going up an hour-long climb and an hour descent, it was good views. But the worst bit was the drive up to Largs — it took almost longer than the cycle back!

“There’s been a few funny bits too, all the laughs me and Matthew have had between us all the way.

"Whenever there was a hill or a challenge, we just made it funny, trying to take the dampener off the whole scenario.

"Also having music in one ear, just to help us get through it, and obviously everywhere was new too, so that kept us going.”

Donations can still be made, at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/largstoeastcowes469