A cyclist pedalled the length of the country to raise awareness of a rare illness that afflicts his partner.

Chris Manders, from Purley, braved snow, wind and hail to ride from John O'Groats to Lands End last week.

The 27-year-old pedalled an average of 120 miles a day to complete the epic 950-mile journey in just over a week.

Mr Manders, who trained for a year ahead of the feat, raised over £2,300 for the charity Syncope Trust and Reflex anoxic Seizures (Stars).

The charity supports patients who regularly suffer sudden loss of consciousness.

Mr Manders's partner of six years, Cath Todd, 26, was diagnosed with the dysfunction in 2010.

It causes her to black out unexpectedly, often several times a day, and has left her dependent on a wheelchair.

Mr Manders said: "Cath is my inspiration in life and was in my thoughts for each and every one of those 950 miles.

"My legs now hurt a lot, as do my ankle, shoulders, back and fingers and sitting down is very painful, but I wouldn't change it.

He added: "Continuing to raise awareness about autonomic conditions is vital to ensuring patients and relatives get the treatment and support they need to adjust to life with these conditions."

Mr Manders set off on Sunday, March 23, and climbed out of the saddle at the other end of the UK eight days later.

In May last year Mr Manders raised hundreds of pounds for the charity by running the Edinburgh Marathon on his birthday.

Reflex anoxic seizures are triggered by the blood supply to the brain temporarily being cut off.