A Barnet-based team clocked up sixth place in a round-Britain microlight race ,, and hundreds of pounds of sponsorship cash for the Starlight Ward at Barnet Hospital. MATTHEW NIXSON reports

Microlight pilot Jay Madhvani has come down to earth with a bump ,, successfully completing a gruelling round-Britain race.

The former soldier from Barnet clocked up points visiting 39 airfields across the country during the four-day event.

Jay, 49, of Mount Pleasant, and co-pilot Ray Wood, 54, from Enfield, covered more than 2,000 miles in their tiny craft, similar to a hang glider.

On Saturday, after flying seven hours a day and braving bad weather, they completed their challenge in a respectable sixth place.

'It was difficult because of the poor weather conditions,' said Jay. 'Two days were very bad indeed. At one point we had to land at a private airfield and just sit it out.'

One of the highlights was a refuelling stopover at Prestwick International Airport outside Glasgow.

Jay, who runs Jay Airsports teaching microlighting, added: 'It was quite exciting, a little microlight landing on a one-mile long runway and being refuelled by a tanker.'

But the competition wasn't just about the thrills and spills of the sport.

The intrepid pair hope to have raised more than £1,600 in sponsorship for the Starlight Ward at Barnet Hospital.

Every year the unit helps between 300 and 350 premature babies.

However, it is an expensive business, costing around £20,000 per infant for just three months care.

Times Group photographer Colin Shaw's daughter, Daisy, spent a week in the Starlight Ward after being born in April suffering jaundice, low blood sugar and head trauma.

Mum Helene said: 'They looked after us brilliantly. She wasn't very well at all but they were fantastic. Everyone was very dedicated.'

Daisy, now 14-weeks-old, is fully recovered thanks to the staff at the Starlight Ward.

Consultant paediatrician Dr Simon Roth said: 'We're incredibly dependent on people's generosity.

Everyone in the unit has been backing Jay and Raymond on their trip.'

Anyone wishing to make a late donation can contact Jay Madhvani at www.jayairsports.co.uk or you can call 020 8441 8766.