A Douglas resident has cycled approximately 1,262 miles across Europe in aid of a charity he holds close to his heart.

Alex Graham, aged 28, has raised more than £800 towards the British Heart Foundation as his mother and other family members have been treated for heart defects.

The qualified accountant cycled his newly bought mountain bike across the Via Francigena route which is a historic pilgrimage trail that passes through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Italy.

He began his long journey from Canterbury in England, spending 18 days getting to the Vatican City before heading home in time for his birthday.

’I started off not really knowing what it would entail,’ he said. ’I had never really biked far in terms of endurance.

’I’ve done the Parish Walk so I thought "if I can do that then riding a bike for a few hours a day shouldn’t be too bad".’

Alex explained that he had chosen to get his heart pumping on the famous pilgrimage route for a number of reasons.

’My mum had an operation a few years ago to have a valve in her heart increased in size and my aunties have had a similar thing. It seems to be a genetic thing on their side of the family. I also have a friend whose dad died of a heart defect, so that’s what’s helped me to pick a charity.

’My sister got married in Italy last year and so I thought it would be a good place to aim for. I also wanted to have a go at going over the Alps - which was a bit of a challenge.’

Although his official fundraising trip began from Canterbury, Alex decided to cycle from his aunt’s house in London to get used to the busy roads.

He said: ’It was my first go to see how I would cope and it was pretty tough.

’I would then get up at 9am every day and cycle for seven to eight hours before getting to a city or hub around 6pm. Each day I was ticking away milestones.’

One thing that struck Alex was the complete change in landscape the further south he went.

’In Switzerland I would spend two or three days climbing up and down the Alps looking around at the big alpine valleys, which were good views,’ he said.

He described his last leg as a ’happy’ moment, although it didn’t quite go to plan.

’When I got to Vatican City, Google Maps took me to the back of Vatican City,’ Alex continued. ’I had an image in my head of my finishing at the front, getting off my bike and punching the air. Instead I came through the back door.’

He added: ’I left my bike at a train station in Rome. I had bought it for £200 knowing that I wouldn’t really like to take it back.

’It was a standard mountain bike. I tried to give it to a charity shop but couldn’t find one.’

For those interested in cycling the route, Alex says it’s ’definitely worth looking into’ as there are many cycle paths in Europe. See www.facebook.com/AlGCycle