A 76-year-old volunteer from south Bucks has completed his ninth fundraising challenge to raise money for Mercy Ships, which runs civilian hospital ship Africa Mercy, raising £60,000 for the charity since 2007.

Ken Brazier from Princes Risborough took on his first challenge with a sponsored climb of Mount Kilimanjaro aged 67, raising £16,000 just from the climb.

He has, since, raised a further £44,000 from eight different cycling expeditions in the Santiago de Compostela trails, cycling around 2,000km in total.

Mr Brazier and his wife Julie have been volunteer speakers for Mercy Ships UK after hearing about the charity’s work during a presentation given to the Princes Risborough Rotary Club in 2003.

He said: “I’ve been astonished by the donations received over the last nine years but Mercy Ships is a very deserving cause which is helping so many of the world’s poor by offering free medical treatment and support.

“I will be 77 years old by next year but I know I’ve got plenty more miles left in my legs yet.”

Lea Milligan, executive director of Mercy Ships UK, said: “Our volunteers are the lifeblood of Mercy Ships and allow us to provide free medical services to the poorest of the poor.

“Mercy Ships is only able to exist and to carry out its mission thanks to volunteers such as Ken and June Brazier.

“Ken’s fundraising efforts have been unbelievable and the generosity of his friends, family and supporters in their donations is having a direct impact upon hundreds of people’s lives in Africa right now.”

Africa Mercy provides free healthcare services to those in developing countries.