When Andrew Mathias from the Haverfordwest area started planning his 5,000-mile 64-consecutive-day UK coastal cycle challenge, he knew he wanted to raise money and awareness for Paul Sartori Hospice at Home Service as his family had been assisted during a very difficult time.

Andrew said: “I have chosen to raise money for Paul Sartori hospice care as over the last few months they have helped my family massively during a very difficult time.”

This cycle challenge was an incredible experience for Andrew, taking in amazing views and landscapes that many of us would not usually see driving in a car - leaving Andrew with lasting memories!

He was very proud and raised over five times his original target. The eventual total of £5,403.04 was just over £1 per mile, which he never thought possible.

Andrew added: “Always in the back of my mind was the cause behind this journey. The Paul Sartori Foundation helped both my grandmother and family during a difficult time before she passed away earlier this year. It is fantastic to be able to give something back to the Foundation for the care and support they provided during this time and hopefully raise the awareness of the truly amazing work they do within the county of Pembrokeshire! Thank you so much to everyone who donated... it undoubtedly helped during tough days on the bike!”

Paul Sartori were also very proud of the dedication and the remarkable achievement by Andrew.

Sandra Dade, charity manager, commented: “We were regularly sending encouraging wishes to Andrew throughout his journey and were blown away by his amazing accomplishment.”

Sandra added: “Andrew’s fundraising is equivalent to us providing 180 of hours care in the community, so he has actually handed us a legacy to future patients. Thank you Andrew.”

The Paul Sartori Hospice at Home Service provides a range of services to people living in the final stages of a life limiting illness, including home nursing care, equipment loan, complementary therapy, bereavement and counselling support, clinical nurse specialist in palliative care, physiotherapy, advance care planning and training. The services provided by the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home Service enable people in the later stages of any life-limiting illness to be cared for at home with dignity, independence, pain free and surrounded by those they hold most dear.

Further information on the charity and its services can be obtained by visiting their website www.paulsartori.org, or by ’phoning 01437 763223.