Christian Schneider at the end of his bike ride, at the Golden Gate Bridge

A student has completed a gruelling coast-to-coast bike ride in memory of one of his friends who died from cancer.

Christian Schneider cycled from the east coast of the United States to San Francisco, a distance of 4,000 miles (6,430km) to raise cash for a Manchester cancer hospital.

The Bournemouth University undergraduate undertook the challenge as a tribute to Tom Buckley, the 23-year-old Cheshire man who completed the Wainwright Coast to Coast Walk two years ago despite being in the final stages of the terminal disease.

His courage inspired Mr Schneider to tackle a series of events to raise money for the Christie Hospital in south Manchester, which treated Tom and for which he raised an impressive £100,000. Christian tackled the British Three Peaks, the London Marathon and climbed Europe’s highest peak, Mount Elbrus.

And, after 54 days of travel, two broken spokes and four punctures, he arrived at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge after a non-stop 80-mile (129km) final day.

Christian Schneider on Mount Elbrus

Mr Schneider said: “It has been an incredible journey taking me to my very limits both physically and mentally but getting to the Golden Gate Bridge is testament that you are capable of anything with the right motivation.

“Sitting on a saddle less comfortable than a plank of wood for eight hours a day while carrying the weight of a baby elephant and in temperatures of 100F, there was no better motivation than Tom Buckley when he walked cross country whilst terminally ill.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported, donated and made the whole journey worthwhile. I have managed to raise just over £5,000 for a very worthwhile cause. The Christie is one of the leading researchers of new cancer treatments in Europe and also treated Tom through five of his cancers.”

The Bike4Buckers justgiving page is open for any further donations.

Mr Schneider has now returned to university to continue his degree studies.