Teacher finishes 17,000-mile round-the-world cycle

Jacob Zintel-Warner has completed a 17,000-mile charity cycle around the world

A Kent secondary school teacher has completed a 17,000-mile (27,359 km) charity cycle around the world.

Jacob Zintel-Warner, from Folkestone, began the challenge on 8 April and has arrived back home after travelling through 26 countries.

The 31-year-old has raised more than £7,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.

He said: "It's a massive sense of achievement to have finished this trip and to raise money for such a worthy cause."

When asked about his most memorable travel moments, he said Central Asia was one of his favourite places because of the "positivity of people".

"They were so kind, they would never hesitate to give me food, water or money," he said.

"I also really enjoyed Australia because it was such a challenge to get across the outback and cycle across there."

Jacob Zintel-Warner has raised more than £7,000, but hopes to raise a total of £10,000

Mr Zintel-Warner temporarily left his job as a history teacher at Brockhill Park Performing Arts College, near Hythe, where he will be returning in September.

He said one of his students, who had osteoporosis, was the inspiration behind the fundraiser.

"She'd come in and be a really positive and bubbly character, but clearly she struggled a lot with her condition," he said.

The teacher added that the pupil had "spoken very highly about the hospital", which inspired him to raise money for it.

Gabi Field, deputy director of public fundraising at Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, said Mr Zintel-Warner's dedication and resilience was to be admired.

"It is thanks to people like him, and our fundraisers, raising funds needed for the hospital and seriously ill children and their family," she said.