In June 2026, we spoke to Keiran Williams, one of three friends who were planning to get on their bikes at the southernmost tip of England and cycle until they reached the very top of Scotland. Along with Adam Clarke and Lawrence Green, they were just a couple of weeks away from taking on the Land's End to John O'Groats (LEJOG) challenge, covering the length of Britain in just nine days, at around 100 miles a day, in aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance.
Before
There was also a personal element to the challenge because, in 2018, Adam was involved in a road collision that left him with life-threatening head injuries. He’s never forgotten the help he received from our crew, who treated him at the scene before flying him to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for specialist care.
Adam and Keiran have form when it comes to turning their gratitude into action. Two years ago, the pair cycled from London to Paris in just over 24 hours, raising the equivalent cost of a 2018 mission for East Anglian Air Ambulance. This time, they’re planning on going even further, literally, and they’ve brought a friend along for the ride to raise £4,250 – the average cost of a tasking in 2026.
Adam says, “The speedy rescue that East Anglian Air Ambulance were able to provide has given me the life I have today. Our last challenge was my way of saying thank you to those who crewed my flight, this year’s LEJOG challenge was about giving someone else the same chance at life that I was given.”
Lawrence is joining Adam and Keiran for LEJOG, with friends and family supporting them along the route. Between them, they’re planning all the logistics, everything from route planning, hotels and BnBs, to how they will eat the 4,000 – 5,000 calories a day just to keep pedalling throughout their challenge and tackle all the hills along the way.
“On day one, Cornwall alone will see us gain 2,000 metres elevation,” Keiran explains. “There will also be two big climbs when we reach the Lake District. We’re looking forward to the exploration, the views, and seeing places we’ve never been before. I’m sure there’ll be highs and lows, but we’ll support each other through it.”
Also motivating the team through the good days and the bad will be the reason why they’re taking on the challenge; to help others who need lifesaving care from our crew. Lawrence works as a disability driving instructor, sometimes helping people get back behind the wheel after road collisions.
“I often see people’s recovery first-hand,” he says. “I’ve heard some of them say they wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for East Anglian Air Ambulance.”
During and After
Adam, Lawrence and Keiran set off from Land’s End with a quick 17km for photos on Thursday 18 June with the real ride starting on Friday 19 June. They completed the ride nine days later, on Saturday 27 June – through some of the hottest days the country has seen in a long time. While ride started in the mist and wet roads, they cycled into the “brutal” heatwave that gripped the country, cycling through the Lake District and into Scotland on the record-breaking days of the hottest recorded temperatures for that area. They even had a day of heavy rain too.
“The climbs through the Lakes and into the Highlands sapped the legs of energy, ready for the penultimate day, which was supposed to be an ‘easy day’ although this proved to be anything but, with headwinds all day and heavy rain, making riding conditions very difficult,” Keiran said.
They then had a series of mechanical issues affecting the bikes, even getting a puncture just 10km from John O’Groats. But despite this, the team always believed that they would finish. They enjoyed the ride much more than the time-pressured Paris to London in 24 hours ride two years previous. As they expected, they supported each other throughout. Keiran recalls a particularly challenging climb of around 50km just north of Lockerbie in Scotland, but this was balanced out by the stunning scenery along the way, especially the Northern Highlands.
Adam said, “The sense of achievement is massive. It’s not sunk in, the support we have had from friends, families and work colleges has been amazing. We cannot believe the money we have raised for East Anglian Air Ambulance; I am so pleased that someone else will have the chance of a life that they gave me!”
Lawrence added, “Everyone thought we were mad to be doing this in such a short time. It was really difficult at times, but the memories will last a lifetime. The support we have had from people donating to us has been humbling, especially people we met on the way and heard what we are doing and wanted to support us.”
Keiran said “The personal effort the three of us have put into this has been more than matched by the generosity of people we know and those who just have heard what we are doing. What East Anglian Air Ambulance does is so important, Adam and I saw what they have in Norwich, if they can replicate that in the Cambridge area with their new base, we as the local public will have a world-class facility to support us”.
Ride Stats
Distance: 1,519.07km (943.91 miles)
Elevation Gain: 16,263m (54,356ft)
Saddle time: 69h 42m
Average speed: 21.8kph (13.5mph)
Longest Day – Stage 7 – 203km
Biggest Climbing Day – Stage 3 – 2,246m
Biggest Climb – Stage 5 – “The Struggle” Ambleside to Kirkstone Pass in the Lake District – 397m of Elevation
At the time of writing, the team have raised an incredible £6,050. Thank you and well done, Adam, Keiran and Lawrence on your incredible achievement!
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