Kingsbridge Estates Chairman Ian Playford has completed a 300km London to Paris bike ride – helping to raise an incredible £600,000 for children and families affected by a devastating muscle-wasting disease.

Ian, 54, was among 140 riders who took part in the Duchenne Dash, pedalling from Herne Hill Velodrome in South-East London to Newhaven and crossing the Channel by ferry, before cycling from Dieppe to the Eiffel Tower.

Contributors including Ian’s family, friends, and colleagues at Tangmere-based commercial property developer Kingsbridge Estates contributed £8,000 to his fundraising effort – double his target.

Every penny will be donated to the charity Duchenne UK, which supports children and families affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Ian, of Tunbridge Wells, said: “I’m grateful to everyone who sponsored me and very pleased with the total – it makes all the training worth it! We were travelling quite quickly this year so there were times when remembering all those who had sponsored me kept the wheels turning.

“When I had to really dig in, I just focused on all the good the charity does and the mums and dads whose sons live in hope of the research finding a treatment.

The ride finished at the Eiffel Tower and was followed by a gala dinner to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the event.

Duchenne affects mostly boys and causes all the muscles in the body, including the heart and lungs, to gradually weaken. Duchenne UK funds research and clinical trials with the aim of finding a cure.

Ian is still accepting donations via his fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ian-playford1

‍Find out more about Duchenne UK at www.duchenneuk.org