GETTING overtaken by a four-year-old boy at last year’s Warminster Wobble was the turning point in Andrew McFerran’s life.

After that embarrassing incident, the 49-year-old made a pledge to get back to full fitness and now has his sights set on cycling from Land’s End to John o’Groats, raising money for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance in the process.

Mr McFerran, of Broxburn Road, Warminster, said: “It all started when my daughter came home from school one day and said she wanted to do the Warminster Wobble.

“I didn’t think a bike ride would be that challenging so I agreed to take part, but little did I know what I was getting myself in for.

“Before we had even reached the park, I was absolutely knackered and my face looked like a beetroot. We started the ride and the further we got into it, the further behind I found myself.

“Then the key moment happened. I was struggling away when a four-year-old lad breezed past me with his little legs going 10 to the dozen on a tiny bike. I tried to catch up with him but couldn’t, no matter how hard I peddled.

“After finally making it to the finish line, where my friends and family were laughing, I reflected on how unfit I was and decided to do something about it.

“I stopped drinking and smoking, bought a bike on Gumtree and started cycling as much as I could. I then told my family that I planned to cycle from Land’s End to John o’Groats. They didn’t believe me at first.

“I bought a decent bike in January and since last August I have cycled over 5,000 miles. I’m feeling fitter than I ever have and can’t wait to cycle to John o’Groats.

“Thank you to the Warminster Wobble team for helping me change my life.”

Mr McFerran will cycle the 874 miles from Land’s End to John o’Groats, which will take around 10 days, in September.

This year’s Warminster Wobble takes place on June 18 and 19, visit www.warminsterwobble.co.uk to register.

​ To sponsor Mr McFerran, visit www.justgiving.com/Andrew-McFerran?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_content=Andrew-McFerran&utm_campaign=pfp-share-mobile