A DEVOTED uncle who took on one of the world’s toughest endurance races to raise money for charity has returned home after raising nearly £8,000.

Mike Hancock took on the extraordinary 10-day Yak Attack cycle race through the Himalayas to raise the money for National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS), in recognition of the support they have given his niece Emily.

And Mike revealed he came top in his age category in the competition, while crossing the finishing line in 12th position overall. He said: “I tried to hang on to a top 10 finish but just missed it. The race was amazing and brutal in equal measure.”

The Yak Attack race, which is billed as the highest mountain bike race on earth, takes competitors into the moon-like landscape of the ‘Forbidden Kingdom’ of Upper Mustang, as it stretches 350km through the Himalayas and some of the remotest and untouched areas on Earth.

Mike, from Toll House Gardens, chose to take on the challenges to thank the NDCS for the difference they have made to niece Emily’s life.

He said: “Emily has battled deafness since the age of two and a half, eventually losing her hearing all together. Emily was accepted for Bilateral Cochlear Implants and underwent an eight-hour operation to have the devices implanted into her skull. The devices were switched on in October 2010 and Emily heard sound for the first time in almost nine months.

“Emily hears electronic sounds and her brain has learned to interpret these sounds as language and communication. She really is amazing.

​“The NDCS have been a lifeline to Emily and her family, providing invaluable support and assistance. They provided a lot of help for my sister [Emily’s mum] when she was diagnosed and I wanted to give something back to them.”

Last year Mike took on the 4 Deserts Gobi March, to support the charity. Donate at mikehancock1.wixsite.com/yakattackndcs