ROYAL Engineer Lieutenant Colonel Alastair Bartlam has completed a momentous challenge after serving with the British Army for the past 35 years – all in aid of Julia’s House.

Before hanging up his beret and settling down to enjoy his retirement with wife Dawn in Wiltshire, he decided to cycle the mammoth route from John O’Groats to Lands End.

In just nine days, Alastair and a group of friends covered 874 miles and raised £800 for Julia’s House children’s hospice.

Lt Col Bartlam chose to support Julia’s House after reading about the charity in his local Lloyds Bank branch in Royal Wootton Bassett.

The Royal Engineer, who has four grandchildren, said: “Julia’s House is a charity you hope you would never need to use, but none of us know what’s around the corner.”

Ian Wadley, Wiltshire Fundraising Manager for Julia’s House, said: “We are so grateful to Alastair and his friends for taking on this mighty challenge for Julia’s House. With just 5 per cent of our funding coming from government, generous support from members of the public is vital to the care we provide for local families.”

Lt Col Bartlam and his wife visited the charity’s Wiltshire office to present a cheque and meet the team.

If you would like to take on a challenge for Julia’s House, call the team on 01980 677105.