A TWO-year adventure of a lifetime that took Astrid Domingo Molyneux around the world by bike in a mammoth solo journey has earned her an Evening Post/First Gold Star.

The mother-of-two from Almondsbury decided to embark on the trip of nearly 20,000 miles when she reached her landmark 50th birthday.

But there was more to the ride than just completing the challenge as she also used it to highlight the work of the Leprosy Mission.

Astrid, now 53, visited people with leprosy in India and Nepal to see how the mission was helping them and trying to ensure treatment was available to those who needed it.

She also spread the word about the charity's work as a roving ambassador as she pedalled around the globe.

Astrid, of Crantock Drive, was taken aback when told of the Gold Star award.

She said: "Oh wow! That's fantastic. I'm completely bowled over. The Leprosy Mission will be delighted because I want to let so many more people know about its work.

"There are many charities doing good work and because leprosy is not found in this country, it seems remote to many people.

"But it is prevalent in some countries and there is a lot of stigma attached to it. Even children whose parents have it are not accepted in schools so miss out on education. What's heartbreaking is there is treatment available, which would prevent amputations. When I visited patients with leprosy, it was so distressing to see young adults affected when it could have been treated.

"But there is a lot of hope and it's a case of making people aware that it is curable.

Astrid had time off her work at the Centre for Deaf Studies at Bristol University to complete the journey through 28 countries and also promoted the Deaf Studies Trust along her way.

Both charities will be further supported when she completes a book about her experience.

She encountered many highs and lows along the way, from standing on a pass in Tibet at 5,200 metres to being knocked off her bike in Greece and injuring her knee.

She was also kidnapped by a lorry driver in Iran, had paint thrown at her in India by a group of menacing men but enjoyed great generosity and hospitality of many people who willingly opened their homes to her.

Evening Post deputy editor Rob Stokes said "We have all been staggered by Astrid's amazing achievement. What she did took such incredible courage and endurance. And significantly it also helped to promote the work of people helping those with leprosy."

All our Gold Star winners will be invited to a special celebration lunch in December, when their awards will be presented.