Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Teenager completes epic trek as exam results roll in
Cameron Johnson was unable to join his classmates to collect his GCSE results - because he was busy cycling from John O’groats to Land’s End.
The 16-year-old tackled the 1,200-mile trek with his dad Chris to raise money for the Pilgrims Hospice, which had cared for a family member.
So it was his mum Nicky who went into St Anselm’s to pick up his results and phoned to break the good news that he’d passed all eight exams.
“He was so overjoyed he burst into tears, especially as he passed English, because he has dyslexia,” she said.
Cameron and his father, a 46-year-old deputy head at the Phoenix Community Primary School in Ashford, set off on their epic, unsupported ride on August 11.
The family, who live in Chartham Hatch, have been raising money for the hospice after Cameron’s aunt Leanne Hall died last year after a battle with skin cancer, aged just 43.
With gift aid, they have raised close to £1,000 already.
Mrs Johnson, a foster carer, said: “They are both quite keen cyclists and Chris has also run two marathons for the hospice.
“I think it’s an amazing thing for a 16-year-old boy to do, especially as he only weighed two pounds when he was born and doctors said he would never be normal. In fact, he has turned out to be a fantastic boy.
“They even built their own bikes with the help of Downland Cycles, which kindly donated the frames and gave Cameron a course in bike building.”
The pair rolled into Land’s End on Tuesday, weary but elated at completing such a gruelling challenge.
Mr Johnson said: “It was hard going at times and we had a few falls and punctures along the way. But we took a slightly longer route to avoid the busier roads and saw some spectacular scenery.
“Arriving at Land’s End was an amazing feeling and I am just so proud of Cameron for what he has achieved.”
To sponsor the pair go to www. justgiving.com/chrisjohnson17