Four days, 500km, over 13,000 calories burned, but most importantly close to £2,500 raised for a brilliant cause.

Northolt councillor and Ealing cabinet member for environment and transport Bassam Mahfouz took part in a spectacular cycle ride to celebrate his 35th birthday and raise cash for local charity The Log Cabin.

He headed out with the newly-formed London Green Cycling Club, going up some of the longest and steepest hills in the country, and through "spectacular Yorkshire scenery" before biking from Cambridge to London and then competing in the Ride London 100 in an "exhilarating" few days.

Mr Mahfouz described the experience as "an epic journey that saw us cover the same distance as flying from central London to Edinburgh and climbing almost the equivalent of Mount Kilimanjaro over four days".

He said: "Why on earth? Well, some people enjoy a mid-life crisis with a new sports car or a new job; I wanted to raise some serious money for an amazing charity.

"Some of you will know that for over 10 years I was chair of governors at Ealing's Mandeville School, providing a wonderful service for the borough's children with the greatest needs.

"Those children and their parents face a daily struggle and I got to know during that time the invaluable service that The Log Cabin provides to support those families. Families with children with profound and multiple learning difficulties, autism or physical impairment.

"Parents of children with special needs are provided with vital support by the brilliant team at Log Cabin and for many it's an absolute life-line."

To donate to the cause further, visit Mr Mahfouz's JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/BassamMahfouz.