A BRIDGWATER man has completed a 300 mile cycle ride for BBC Children in Need.

Aaron Davidge from Bridgwater, together with 59 colleagues from Lloyds Banking Group, has completed the Tour de Pudsey challenge and helped to raise £246,696.11 for the charity.

He cycled over 300 miles from Cardiff to the town of Pudsey in Yorkshire in just three and a half days.

Mr Davidge was determined to use the challenge of Tour de Pudsey to raise as much money as possible for BBC Children in Need – and also to get fit.

Speaking after completed the challenge, Mr Davidge, assistant manager, Customer Fraud at the Canons House offices said: “I am so proud to have completed Tour de Pudsey alongside my Lloyds Banking Group Team Cardiff colleagues.

"It has been an incredible adventure with highs and lows, but we worked hard as a team to finish together.

"The support from family, friends and colleagues on route has been amazing and I’m thrilled that our endeavours have helped to raise over £245,000 for BBC Children in Need.”

TV presenter, Gethin Jones, who was the Team Cardiff ambassador at the Grand Depart at the Principality Stadium, sent his congratulations: “It was fantastic to be here to see the Lloyds Banking Group colleagues from across the country complete their Tour de Pudsey challenge for BBC Children in Need.

"I love to see people pushing themselves to achieve sporting success – especially when they are also raising money for such a great cause in the process. Huge congratulations to everyone involved.”

The funds raised will help to ensure that disadvantaged children and young people across the UK can have a safe, happy and secure childhood and have the opportunity to reach their potential.

The finish line of Pudsey was chosen for two reasons: it is home to one of Lloyds Banking Group’s head offices; and it is also the town after which BBC Children in Need’s iconic mascot was named, being the hometown of Pudsey’s designer.

Sixty Lloyds Banking Group colleagues from across the UK joined one of three teams departing from London, Cardiff and Edinburgh to cycle over 300 miles to Pudsey in Yorkshire. Collectively, they cycled 18,000 miles, burned over 38 million calories and raised more than £245,000.