A MALVERN man who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour completed a 100 mile kayak to coincide with his 100th cycle of chemotherapy - the highest undergone by any brain tumour patient in the UK.

Ben Lindon, aged 39, completed the journey along the River Wye raising over £6,000 for Brain Tumour Research.

"Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease," he said.

"I’m lucky to have survived beyond five years – less than 20% of us brain tumour patients do –and I will continue to take on a personal challenge each year until I am broken."

He set out with his support team which included his friends Will Davies and David Williams, both from Shipston-on-Stour and Chris and Janet Redman from Upton-upon-Severn on Saturday, August 12.

They set out from Glasbury-on-Wye in Powys, Wales and reached the 100 mile mark at Chepstow in Monmouthshire four days later.

Mr Lindon had never kayaked before and the challenge was particularly gruelling because of the far-reaching effects of his ongoing treatment.

He also had to endure strong currents and challenging rapids as well as a couple of capsizes.

"It has been the most amazing experience and, along with the fantastic scenery in the Wye Valley, I have particularly enjoyed seeing all the wildlife along the river, including kingfishers and birds of prey, herons, swans and all manner of ducks and even otters," he said.

"By the time we reached the finish, however, I was totally knackered and desperate for a pint or two of cider!

"What has kept me going over the last four days is the knowledge that my efforts are raising vital funds for research to help find more effective treatments and ultimately a cure for brain tumours – and of course the sustenance of plenty of peanut butter sandwiches, honey and mountains of pasta!

"The only thing I have to show for my awesome adventure is a pretty impressive number of blisters on my hands and quite a lot of sunburn!

"I had two lucky charms with me – a Lego man which belongs to my son Sidney, three, and my daughter’s panda, known as Sue (from the Sooty and Sweep show).

Both of these survived the 100 miles, although Lego man is now missing a leg so Sid thinks he must now be a real pirate!

"I want to thank my absolutely rock-solid support team, without whom this would never have happened. Each and every one of them was a star and really helped me to set up and achieve this latest challenge.

"Also, it has been humbling to see lots of donations on my JustGiving page from friends, but also complete strangers who have been motivated to act by their own experience with a brain tumour or that of a loved one.

"I want to thank everyone who has donated to this cause with whatever they can spare, whether it be £2 or £1,000 – every donation is so important to me."

The money raised brings Mr Lindon's total amount raised for Brain Tumour Research to more than £16,000.

Over the years Mr Lindon has run marathons, including the London Marathon, conquered the Three Peaks and last year cycled nearly 900 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End, having been through months of rehabilitation following a massive stroke just one year before.

Mr Lindon dedicated his Wye 100, Wye Not challenge to Ryan Taylor from Nottingham, a young man he met on social media but tragically passed away from a brain tumour aged just 26.

Carol Robertson, head of community fundraising for Brain Tumour Research said: “Ben is an amazing ambassador for our charity as well as an incredible fundraiser.

"We are so grateful to him for all he does.

"It’s vital that campaigners like Ben help to shine the spotlight on this neglected cancer.

"We desperately need more awareness and research investment so we can find a cure."

You can still sponsor Ben at justgiving.com/fundraising/Ben-Lindon6