CALNE dad, Christian Okun has completed his latest fundraising challenge - Scotland's North Coast 500 in just 5 days.
The NC500 Bike Ride is a 516-mile scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle.
It is just the latest challenge taken on by Christian who has been fundraising with his wife Kate, raising money for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance and The Bristol Royal Hospital For Children since losing their son, Franklin in 2020 at just 4 months old.
Speaking to Calne News days after completing his challenge Christian said it was "by far the hardest physical challenge" he had ever faced.
"I strained both of my Achilles heels come day 2, so every pedal was agony there on out. Day 3 was the hardest day mentally and physically as I was exhausted, in excruciating pain and had the most climbs totalling over 8000 feet which is higher than Ben Nevis and Snowdon all in one day.
"I just had to dig deep and grind through the pain to make sure I got to the end, it was a rollercoaster of emotions each day but the scenery made it a little easier to enjoy."
Christian survived on just 4 to 6 hours broken sleep a night in a camper van he was sharing with his wife and two children aged 3 years and 11 month.
"The last day started with a 5 mile climb over 2000 feet up the Bleach Na Ba then down Applecross pass. This climb almost broke me, I had to resort to crying through the pain to make it to the top."
This incredible achievement has already raised over £2,000 more than Christian's original target of £2500. When asked what his plans were for future fundraising, Christian explained: "I’m not sure what’s next, I need to evaluate planning something as adventurous as this again as it cost us £2000 of our own money to fund the trip.
"Maybe something low key next year. I have applied for a ballot entry to the London marathon next year. So we I’ll see if I get accepted."
If you would like to donate you can do so here: Weʼre raising £2,500 to Chris’s NC500 Bike Ride
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