Formula One World Champion Damon Hill cycled 250 miles over the weekend through cold and rain to help people with learning difficulties.

The former Williams driver set off from Putney Bridge on Friday morning with 40 fellow cyclists to take part in the Two Boats Cycle to raise money for the Halow Project.

The group pedalled to Newhaven to catch the ferry to Dieppe, before cycling onwards to Pegasus bridge in Caen – a key objective during the D-Day landings.

Following a brief pit stop, they returned to the Channel, took a ferry to Portsmouth and cycled to the finish line at Guildford on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Hill, who is patron of the Halow Project, was joined on the ride by his son Josh, 21, and wife Georgie.

George Willis, from GM Recruitment whose charity is the Halow Project, said: “The whole ride was unbelievable. Since arriving back on Sunday, it has been a blur.

“We hardly had any sleep in 48 hours and cycled 250 miles through hilly terrain in dark, cold and rain. It was much more of a challenge than anyone realised but we rose to the challenge.

“I think everyone should be extremely proud of themselves.”

Fundraisers set an original target of £30,000 but such was the efforts of the cyclists they have smashed through the £40,000 barrier and are hurtling towards £50,000.

Yvonne Hignell, director of Halow Project, said: “I am completely inspired and in awe of what these guys achieved, it just restores one's faith in human nature.

"To see more than 40 people undergoing what seems to me like three days of torture on our behalf is incredible.

“George Willis is an angel, as are all the cyclists. One of our founders, Martin Day, cycled with them, all the while thinking of his daughter, who was one of the young people who inspired the foundation of Halow project.”

Visit justgiving.com/2boatsride.