A charitable man has given up his holiday to cycle 1,400 miles from London to Africa.

Mark Hawkins, 49, from Thames Ditton, who works as a global technology manager at Merlin, was inspired to complete the cycle to raise funds to support his employers work in fragile and warn-torn states.

After crossing the Channel, Mr Hawkins, who previously worked in the Royal Navy and merchant navy, cycled down the west coast of France and stopped over at a campsite.

He took a break day in Bayonne before cycling through the heart of Spain and tackling the large hills of the Pyrenees.

Mr Hawkins arrived in Algeciras, Spain, on September 17 and finished his journey to Ceuta, a Spanish outpost in north Africa, on September 19, more than two weeks after he departed from the UK.

Mr Hawkins said: “This is Merlin’s 20th anniversary and I wanted to take on a challenge which linked the Merlin office in London to Africa, the continent where Merlin is running many projects.

“My work takes me the frontline frequently where I work with the medical experts to make a difference.”

Although a short visit to Africa, Mr Hawkins will return to the continent in November for his next mission to the Central African Republic.

To donate toward Mr Hawkins's £20,000 target, visit cycle2africa.org.uk.