A DORCHESTER woman got on her bike to travel the length of Britain in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

Diana Jeffery, 28, started her journey at Land’s End and arrived at John O’Groats nine days later.

The PE teacher took on the challenge with her friend Kate Robinson.

The duo covered around 75 miles per day to complete the 900-mile cycle challenge.

Mrs Jeffery is hoping to raise £500 for the British Heart Foundation in memory of one of her best friend’s father, Mark Kendall, who passed away after suffering from a heart attack.

Donations can still be made and Mrs Jeffery is hoping her friend will also raise £500 so that £1,000 is raised between them.

She said that as a PE teacher, who teaches in Wimborne, she wanted to inspire young people to lead more active and healthier lifestyles by seeing her participate in the challenge.

She said: “As a teacher at a specialist sports college, I was hoping to inspire young people to take part in sporting challenges as well as acting as a role model for fitness and healthy lifestyles.

“It was a great experience, though not always comfortable. It was wonderful to arrive at John O’Groats knowing that we had achieved what we set out to do and that we had raised money in Mark’s memory.”

She added: “I was wearing a heart rate monitor and GPS through the whole of the ride to track my route and physical performance.

“So not only will I hopefully raise some much needed funding for BHF, I will also be able to put all my hard efforts to good effect by using the data I collect to improve students’ understanding of cardiovascular performance.”

Neil Jarrett, BHF Fundraising Volunteer Manager for Dorset, said: “This was a fantastic adventure for Diana and we are really grateful for her support.

“Not only will she be raising funds to help our vital research into heart disease, but she will also be using the experience to teach students at Queen Elizabeth’s about cardiovascular performance and the importance of their heart health.”

To sponsor Diana and Kate visit www.justgiving.com/DianaJeffery<&eh> For more information about the British Heart Foundation contact 07879 480835, or email jarrettn@bhf.org.uk