Craig Sawyer was welcomed home to Kingswood at the end of a 734-mile cycle ride from John O’Groats.
His challenge raised more than £10,000 for two local charities, Mikey’s World and Bristol Suicide Prevention.
Craig’s ten-day trip took nearly ten days of pedalling, covering around 64 hours in the saddle. The route tested him both physically and mentally, facing steep climbs, rough terrain, busy roads and unpredictable British weather.
Craig carried his own tent, clothing and cooking equipment for the first part of the journey, which almost came to an early end when a series of setbacks struck near the Scotland–England border. Within a short time, Craig suffered two punctures followed by a mechanical failure that left his bike completely unrideable miles from help.
At his lowest point, a stranger stepped in with an act of generosity, offering Craig a lift more than 15 miles to the nearest hotel, where he could rest and regroup. Soon after, friend Scott Ryan drove up from Bristo to deliver a replacement bike, allowing Craig’s journey to continue.
Craig, who lives in Fishponds, credits the stranger’s kindness, alongside the ongoing encouragement from friends, family and supporters back home, with helping him complete the challenge.
He said: “The support I’ve had has been incredible. Messages, donations and people checking in really kept me going during some of the hardest parts.”
This latest feat follows a fundraising effort last year, when Craig cycled 260 miles from Kingswood to Amsterdam, raising more than £7,000.
Craig’s fundraising supports two causes deeply personal to him: Mikey’s World and Bristol Suicide Prevention. Mikey’s World was set up in memory of Mikey Roynon, who was killed in a knife attack in 2023 aged just 16. Craig had known Mikey for years and had taken him on as a part-time apprentice.
“I’ve been mates with Mikey’s dad for years and took Mikey on when he was 13,” Craig explained. “He was a proper grafter, got on well with the others and we had a good laugh.”
The charity, founded by Mikey’s mother Hayley Ryall, works to raise awareness of knife crime and prevent further tragedies. It supports the rollout of bleed kits and training through partnerships across the region and aims to steer young people away from carrying weapons.
Craig is also raising funds for Bristol Suicide Prevention, part of Suicide Prevention UK, which provides immediate support to people in crisis through a national helpline and proactive patrols in high-risk areas.
“Mental health affects so many people in so many ways,” Craig said. “The team at Bristol Suicide Prevention do a fantastic job helping people in very dark places.”
Craig’s motivation also comes from personal loss, having lost three close friends to suicide.
For more information about Mikey’s World visit: https://mikeysworld.co.uk/. For Bristol Suicide Prevention visit: https://spuk.org.uk/suicide-prevention-bristol-about/
Donations to Craig Sawyer’s fundraising can be made on his Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/craig-sawyer-1774299997137