FIREFIGHTER Mike Cleaver, who organised a marathon cycle ride to help the Epilepsy Society after his young daughter was diagnosed with the illness, is celebrating success.

Mr Cleaver, who is based at Devizes Fire Station, hopes the 24 hour challenge that took in all 24 of Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service’s stations will have raised £2,000.

The money will be split between the Epilepsy Society and the Fire Fighters Charity. Mr Cleaver's seven-year-old daughter Poppy was recently diagnosed with epilepsy.

The team set off on the 195 mile route from Devizes at noon on Friday and returned

to Devizes shortly before midday on Saturday.

Mr Cleaver was one of seven cyclists to complete the whole route. He said: "The weather was really against us for the first 12 hours, with almost non-stop rain. However, things brightened up on the Saturday morning and we were able to finish ahead of time, which was brilliant.

"We left Devizes with 18 riders – four rode with us as far as Trowbridge, and six rode as far as Salisbury. Sadly, one rider suffered an injury on the way to Amesbury and had to pull out, but we had three new riders join us on the Saturday morning and that meant we were able to do the last quarter of the route as a group of ten.

"With outriders from Moonrakers Motorcycle Club in Devizes, and a back-up team of volunteers from within the fire service, the seven of us who managed the whole thing were well supported from start to finish."

At least £1,700 has already been raised, and Mr Cleaver is hoping to achieve £2,000. He said: “The Fire Fighters Charity is important to everyone within the Fire & Rescue Service, and the Epilepsy Society is a charity very close to my heart, as my daughter was diagnosed with the condition late last year.

"We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us so far, and my thanks also go to everyone who took part in the challenge, either as a rider or supporter."

The other cyclists who completed the whole route were Rick Lavens and Archie Webster from Devizes, Trowbridge firefighter Steve Taylor, Ticki Toogood, head of learning and development based at headquarters; Jason Nightingale, an instructor at the service’s training and development centre in Devizes and Mr Cleaver's brother-in-law Dan Scott, who lives in Melksham.

On-line donations can still be made at www.virginmoneygiving.com/cyclewiltshire195