16281/3GAZETTE & HERALD: THE kindness of strangers is the key to bike-ride mum's success in her mega challenge to raise awareness about meningitis.

Cara Mead is more than half way through the 250-mile slog around Wiltshire, but has battled tears, pain and steep hills, thanks to passers by.

"I've had a few inspirational moments on the way, which has made it all worthwhile," Mrs Mead, 32, of The Ridings, Kington St Michael said.

She set off from The Bridge in Chippenham on Saturday morning, encouraged by throngs of people there to wave her off.

Three-year-old Ollie supported his mum by being the first of many youngsters to ride in a pod that was attached to the back of Mrs Mead's bike.

Just one day into the challenge, to raise money for the Gazette's Lydia Cross Appeal and the Meningitis Research Foundation, Mrs Mead was reduced to tears by the generosity of members of the public.

She told how she was struggling up a steep hill at Westbury on Sunday when two vehicles were stuck behind her support car.

"They drove past slowly and wound down their window. I thought they were going to give us abuse but they threw a fiver through the window, then the car behind did exactly the same," Mrs Mead said.

She said that over the next few days other drivers repeated the act.

Mrs Mead will be celebrating the end of the race with a fundraising fun day this Sunday at Chippenham Rugby Club.