A fundraiser taking on a range of challenges as part of his 50th birthday has completed a 50-mile cycle in aid of Julia's House Children's Hospice.

Sam Rose decided to take on three challenges - a 50km run, a 50-mile cycle and a 50km paddleboard - to mark his birthday and to raise as much money as possible for the charity.

On June 13 he set off on his 50-mile route around Bridport and the surrounding area, meeting a celebrity along the way.

Sam said: "We started off in the glorious Marshwood Vale and headed up the not so glorious Bettiscombe Hill, but that was soon under our belts - one down, two to go - and we trundled through Thorncombe, Drimpton, near Mosterton and then up to Buckham Down, where one of our lovely support team was politely asked to move their car by none other than Martin Clunes. If we had been quick enough, we could have asked him to pose for a promo photo as he is a supporter of Julia's House Children's Hospice.

"We stocked up on cake and flapjack and headed off towards Cattistock and Maiden Newton, through the leafy lanes of Dorset - one puncture down but otherwise all good.

"Coming out of Maiden Newton up to the Roman road was less glorious for me as cramp set in going up the hill. With help from my colleagues, I got back on the bike and headed off, but the cramp was to stay with me until the end, which resulted in some amusing one-legged cycling, a lot of deep breathing and some very sore thighs."

The next stop for the group was Hardy Monument and it was downhill to West Bay from there where they enjoyed a celebratory drink and a dip in the sea.

Sam added: "A great day, with great company and support for a great cause. Thank you Adam, Ben, Jon, Pat and particularly Chris Scally for coaching me, keeping me going and devising the route. Also huge thanks to our awesome support crew, without whom we would not have made it round."

You can donate to Sam's cause at justgiving.com

Don't forget to sign up to our newsletter below!

You can submit your own news straight to Bridport Nub News by using the 'Nub It' button on our home page. This can also be done for events on our What's On page and businesses, groups and organisations on our Local Listings page , also by using the 'Nub It' button.

Please like and follow our online newspaper on your favourite social media channel. You can find us @BridportNubNews on Facebook and Twitter.