Ex-footballer and reality TV celebrity Ashley Cain finished his charity cycle ride at John O'Groats to a hero's welcome with many local supporters turning up on Tuesday evening.

Vicky Munro from Thurso, who supplied the photos in this article, helped muster up a lot of that local support saying there was "a fab turn out for the charity bike ride". She added: "The estimated arrival time was 7pm so there were a lot of people there with their children – a lot of them were dressed in lion outfits and orange tutus and clothing."

In an article posted online last Friday, Vicky sent a call-out to the Caithness community to gather support for the celebrity cyclist when he arrived. "I think that putting the piece in the paper helped spread their story and maybe gave those following it a wee bit of encouragement to go along if there were others going."

Vicky thanked all those who came along to the finish of Ashley's 1000-mile bike ride from Land's End to John O'Groats (Lejog) including those who had to leave before the charity cyclist and his team turned up later than expected at 9.30pm. She said, however, that there were still about 70-80 supporters who stayed on to give a grand welcome at Groats.

"The welcome the team got from everyone at the finish line was truly amazing, the piper started up and it was very emotional. Ashley and his team were beyond exhausted, physically and mentally, but they are such a lovely, inspiring, strong family. They all came round and spoke and got pictures and hugs."

Thirty-year-old Ashley Cain was undertaking the 1000-mile Lejog bike ride with a team of family and friends for his first fundraiser in the fight against childhood cancer. Vicky had been following the story of Ashley and his partner Safiyya Vorajee for some time and had been trying to raise local awareness of the campaign and the sad story behind it. "Sadly, the couple's world came crashing down when their daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia at only a few months old," she said.

"Tumours were found in her spleen, her lungs and other places. They did everything they could, including raising funds for special treatment in Singapore which was their last hope but they then got the devastating news that the cancer had spread though her tiny body and they took her home to give her the best time possible that she had left."

At eight-months-old little Azaylia Cain sadly passed away with her loving family surrounding her – it was an event that touched many who had been following the tragic story as it unfolded on social media.

Vicky said: "Ashley and Saffiya have vowed to raise awareness and raise as much money as they can through the Azaylia Foundation, to help other families in their position. Through their heartache they are battling on and are the most inspiring, strong couple."

Ashley and Saffiya's charity foundation aims to provide financial support to families fundraising for treatments not readily available on the NHS. It will also work with families to "fund and deliver magical experiences" aimed to bring positivity and smiles into the daily lives of children suffering from cancer.

On Wednesday evening, just before the team arrived, Vicky said that Saffiya came and greeted everyone and handed out balloons. "They were so grateful for the support of everyone and couldn't have asked for better."

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"Ashley is going to have a small break and then he told me he is going to do the National 3 Peaks Challenge – climbing the UK's highest mountains. Snowdon in Wales, Scafell Pike in England and Ben Nevis in Scotland. He will also be cycling between each one."

Vicky added that Ashley wanted to "massively" thank everyone who welcomed him at the finish line because without that support the Azaylia Foundation would not be as successful as it is already.

The charity has already raised over £60K towards research into child cancer treatments, she said.

More information on the charity and how to support it can be found at: www.theazayliafoundation.com/

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