Teacher cycling across country with rescue dog

John Vincent has rescue dog Akela for company on his trip

A man from Somerset is cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End, accompanied by his rescue dog, to raise money for the RSPCA.

John Vincent has been teaching in Peru for eight years, where he has also volunteered in the community with his students.

He is back in the UK for a few months ahead of starting a new post in Mexico and decided to do "something meaningful" while here.

"It's been an opportunity to explore and reconnect with the country," Mr Vincent told BBC Radio Somerset.

Mr Vincent started his journey on 14 April at John O'Groats

Mr Vincent said that while teaching at an international school in Peru, he wanted to help his students learn about the reality of the country.

"We would go to these communities and ask what was needed," he said.

"We'd say we can bring 150 people to help so what is it you really want?"

They would end up building new classrooms, fixing roofs and helping an entire village after a fire.

"Our students got to interact with the local kids, and see what the reality is for them," Mr Vincent added.

Mr Vincent is back in the UK before starting a new teaching post in Mexico

Before leaving Peru, he adopted a dog called Akela from a rescue centre near Lima.

He decided to go on a cycling tour with her and raise money for the North Somerset branch of the RSPCA.

"She likes running along but generally she's happy to hop into the trailer," Mr Vincent said.

"I like to imagine Akela and I are like the bubbles in a lava lamp and we float around and then connect with other communities so it might be that I go to see an old school friend that I haven't seen in over 20 years and learn about their life and we become part of their community for a while.

"My sister described it as being on an extended version of This is Your Life."

Mr Vincent has currently raised more than £900 of his £1,000 target.