A CYCLIST has raised more than £10,000 for two children's charities after pedalling more than 400km through Pakistan.

Dan Wright, chairman at Vision Support Services in Blackburn, took on the mammoth challenge in aid of The Knowledge Foundation and Kids at School in Nepal.

The 44-year-old, who has four children and lives in Blackburn, was joined by two employees from the Vision base in Pakistan.

Mr Wright said he felt that he needed to give something back to the businesses partner countries.

He said: "It was a tough challenge where we faced a lot of big climbs, we went from about 2,000 metres at the bottom of Hunza Valley to about 8,000 metres at the top.

"We have big operations in Pakistan so that's why I chose The Knowledge Foundation and we also do work in India which has relations with the Nepal charity.

"I just wanted to give something back as they do a lot of hard work for us.

"It's a gorgeous part of the world. Pakistan gets a lot of bad press at times but it's a lovely remote area that we travelled through and the people are extremely welcoming.

"I've only been cycling a couple of years, I wouldn't even call myself a big cyclist.

"This was the longest distance by far that I'd done and it was really hard work at times, but I seem to have got my kids cycling a bit and I'm pleased with the money we have raised."

Mr Wright's journey took him through the Hunza Valley in north Pakistan close to the border with China and includes steep inclines and varied terrain.

He intends to continue collecting donations for the next month.

Vision Support Services is based in Walker Park near junction five of the M65 and provides linen products to major hotel chains such as Hilton.

The Knowledge Foundation works to promote education in Pakistan undertaking numerous projects such as teaching training an infrastructure enhancement.

Meanwhile Kids at School in Nepal, formed in 2005, aims to do similar things with all funds going directly towards improving school facilities, learning materials and providing training.