A CHARTERED building surveyor has marked his forthcoming 60th birthday by cycling 930 miles in nine days from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

David Brown, of Sutton-on-the-Forest, was raising money to help people in a remote part of western Kenya, whose homes regularly get washed away by flooding, build flood-resistant properties.

He said he was accompanied on the ride by his son Tim, 27, and a friend, Dr Richard Lawrance.

“There were times when I lost the will to live, as it is quite a long way, but it is amazing what you can achieve if you are determined and put your mind to it,” he said.

“Fortunately, Richard is a very strong cyclist and assisted me by carrying my small amount of luggage and also allowed me to cycle in his slip stream, for which I was very grateful, especially while cycling through the Highlands of Scotland, when we had to cope with a severe head wind.”

Mr Brown said he would be 60 on July 15 and tried to live life to the full and use every precious moment he had.

“This was reinforced a few years ago when my wife had a cancer scare but is now fully recovered,” he said.

“Exercise is a great stimulant and makes you feel better about yourself. Undertaking a challenge to raise money for other people who need your help makes you realise just how fortunate we are.”

He said he wanted to use his skills and experience in building construction to benefit the people in Budalang’i, western Kenya, having been sponsored in 2010 by the RICS with three specialist colleagues to visit the area to advise on flood damaged properties.

“The people in Budalang’i live on a flood plain and every few years, the villages in which they live suffer from severe flooding,” he said.

“The construction of the buildings is very primitive and these get washed away each time it floods, which takes away not only their dwellings but also their possessions, so every few years they are having to rebuild their lives.”

He said he wanted to return to follow up recommendations made after their last trip by helping to construct more robust buildings and demonstrate various methods of construction. He had raised about £400 so far.

• Anyone wanting to assist should send a cheque, payable to “Western Kenya Relief Club,” to 18, The Gowans, Sutton-on-the-Forest, York YO61 1DJ or make a BACS payments:- Sort Code: 40-47-31 Account No: 34382986.