Nolan goes the distance in charity bike ride

28 August 2025

A West Midlands Police officer who cycled the length of the country has thanked Federation members for their support in helping him raise more than £15,000 for charity.

PC Nolan Oakley covered more than 900 miles on his bike from Land’s End to John o’Groats in just 12 days, completing the famous cycling challenge along a longer, more testing route to take scenic detours and avoid busy roads.

Nolan was joined by his close friend, Darren, as the pair completed their mission for the Life of Riley Appeal, a charity which supports the families of children with rare forms of blood cancer. The appeal was set up in memory of Riley Evans, who battled against Burkitt Lymphoma before losing his life to the illness at the age of 12.

“Mine and Darren’s children both played football with Riley, and Darren is good friends with his family,” Nolan explained, “Riley’s story is obviously very touching – he was so young and the time between his diagnosis and passing was short, but he kept his spirits up and managed to inspire a lot of people around him.

PC Nolan Oakley (left) and his friend Darren setting off from Land's End.

“Doing this challenge in his name and for the charity was an honour. The Life of Riley helps families in similar circumstances to his, covering accommodation and travel costs when they have to attend specialist hospitals and organising holidays and trips for them to enjoy.

“We wanted to fundraise so this amazing cause of spreading hope and joy to these families can continue.”

Nolan, who is a training officer for the Wolverhampton Local Policing Area (LPA), embarked on his cycling journey from Land’s End in Cornwall at the beginning of July.

What followed was daily averages of up to 90 miles in distance and up to 6,500 feet in elevation – with the latter something the 50-year-old described as ‘pretty horrific’.

“Darren and I are both keen cyclists, and distance is one thing, but I think we underestimated things in terms of hills and heights to climb. I used to like Cornwall, but I’m not so sure about it anymore,” he laughed.

Cycling challenge

“It wasn’t much easier when we hit Gloucester, although we were getting through it and putting more and more road behind us. By the time we got into Scotland, we were ready to take in some beautiful scenery in the Highlands. One of the best moments was riding through the Lecht mountain range, which gives you amazing views and is a bit of a milestone for many cyclists on the challenge.”

After almost two weeks of perseverance, exhaustion and exhilaration, Nolan says reaching the end point in John O’Groats was the moment his emotions caught up with him.

“It was an unbelievable feeling – I got a bit choked up as we dropped down into the final descent. I remember feeling so thankful for the opportunity life had given me to do this challenge and to finally complete it,” he added.

And the cop of 25 years had similar sentiments of gratitude for the support he has received through donations sponsoring his mammoth bike ride.

Fundraiser

This backing has helped catapult his fundraiser – which is still open and can be donated to through a GoFundMe page – to a current total surpassing £15,000.

“What an incredible amount of money that is, which will go such a long way for the Life of Riley to continue its mission. I must place on record my thanks to every colleague who has got behind me not only with donations, but with spreading the word around about my challenge too.

“Your support means a lot, and it certainly helped me a great amount over the course of those 12 days in the saddle.”

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