A 15-YEAR-OLD Portland schoolboy and his father have raised more than £1,000 for a charity building schools in Madagascar, after taking on an epic challenge which saw them cycle 1,300 miles across the country.

Toby Moatt had never ridden a bike further than 50 miles in a single trip, but has just completed the mammoth cycling challenge across the UK. Accompanied by 51-year-old father Steve, the duo rode from John o' Groats to Land's End - decided to throw in the 738-mile Great North Trail along the way.

In total, the father and son team covered 1,300 miles in 16 days. The incredible achievement has already helped them raise more than £1,000 for Seed Madagascar, a charity which manages a wide range of sustainable development and conservation projects across Madagascar.

Speaking about his adventure, Toby said: "My dad has completed several challenges over the last few years, including The Tour Divide, all to raise money for an amazing charity, which among other things, helps to provide children in Madagascar with the opportunity of gaining an education by building schools for them.

"This charity is Seed Madagascar and I would like to support them by asking friends and family to sponsor my ride. Any amount would be greatly appreciated."

Steve added: "In total it was about 1,300 miles so quite a way. We were pretty beaten up by the time we got out of the Great North Trail where the going is quite slow. "After that we were on faster lanes and we made good time then.

"No-one necessarily thought he would be able to complete it as the longest ride he had done previously was about 50 miles. Some of the days we were riding about 111 miles in one day and he did that three or four times. This was his first challenge but it has inspired him to do even more.

"Seed Madagascar work primarily in southern regions of Madagascar, the poorest parts of the country. They get involved in lots of projects to do with sustainable living, such as setting up honeybee keeping, lobster farming, and teaching people how to make things with a sewing machine. The schools they build act as a community hub for a village and they have to provide safe drinking water and sanitation which is massively important.

"I got involved with the charity a few years ago and Toby wanted to help. He wanted to have his first adventure and he certainly got it."