TEACHER Geraldine King was determined not to let age stop her cycling 1,000 miles to help a project close to her heart.

Geraldine, of Sunnyside Avenue, Swindon, and her colleague from Nylands School, Fiona Chappell, are having a well-earned break after riding their bikes from Land's End to John O' Groats.

"I have always wanted to do it," said Geraldine.

"It has always been in the back of my mind that I wanted to ride from Land's End to John O'Groats, but as I'm getting older I thought I had to do it now.

"I'm 51, and thought if I put it off another year I'd never get around to it."

Geraldine, who has been a trustee for the Octobus project for 21 years, hopes to have raised £1 for every mile of her epic journey for the project.

The converted double-decker bus gives hundreds of children in isolated parts of Wiltshire access to play and arts facilities.

"It is such a useful resource to people in isolated communities and the energy of the youngsters who volunteer is fantastic.

"I really believe in the work we do and the way we do it. To be able to achieve a lifelong dream and at the same time try to raise some money for the Octobus was the most fantastic opportunity."

When Geraldine told Fiona about her dream to cycle the length of the country, her colleague told her that she also wanted to try the trek.

Keen cyclist Geraldine regularly rides her bike to work, but said she took some extra long detours in preparation for the ride.

During their journey along the country's A-roads, Geraldine and Fiona cycled between 40 and 95 miles a day.

"In Devon and Cornwall it is very hilly so we were going pretty slowly," she said.

"Our fastest speed was on the last day when we wanted to finish.

"The scariest day was when we were crossing the Ranock Bridge in a hailstorm. It was terrifying, but all in all we were pretty lucky with the weather with just four days of rain during the wettest summer ever."

Octobus project manager, Heidi Yorke said: "We cannot thank Geraldine enough for taking on this huge challenge, and for caring enough to do it on behalf of the children and young people who use the Octobus."

Anyone wanting to support Geraldine and Fiona's trip can make donations to Octobus by calling Heidi Yorke on 01793 723755, or visiting www. octobus.org.uk