A CYCLIST who salvaged a bike from the dump has turned pedal power into pounds to help fund a centre for disabled children.

Nick Wimberley rode the unwanted bike from Land’s End to Lowestoft to raise money for the Dorchester Opportunity Group.

His cross-country odyssey has earned £1,019 for the group’s One in a Million appeal, which will fund a new £1million centre for the charity.

But some unseasonable May weather tested Dorchester resident Nick, 54, to the limit.

“The weather turned on the third day from Taunton to Melksham and I had gale force winds blowing in my face.

“It was very hard work, like riding up a hill. If this wasn’t all for a fund, then I would have given up,” he said.

In all, Nick spent 40 hours and 28 minutes in the saddle and covered 446.9 miles.

He is most proud of his achievements on his last day.

“I set off at 3.30am and there wasn’t a single car on the road. I managed to do 87 miles in seven hours.

“I was just going for it and enjoying it as I rode.”

A further £700 will be added to the Opportunity Group’s appeal from a fun day held at Tom Brown’s earlier this month.

Outgoing Dorchester mayor Kate Hebditch said she thinks Nick, just like the appeal, is one in a million.

She added: “Nick’s cycle ride was a fantastic commitment to a good cause.

I’m very grateful to him for over 400 miles of hard pedalling, particularly as he had the wind against him nearly all the way.”

The opportunity group’s admin manager Amanda Dornan said the charity has already raised just under £2,000 for the One in a Million appeal.

“We’re working alongside Fry’s builders from Poundbury and have seen a rough plan of how the building will look.

“Everyone has been fantastic with collecting and selling the badges and doing fund-raising for us.

“We’re hoping that by the end of the year we’ll have a substantial amount for the building along with a £400,000 grant from the Sure Start scheme.”