A ‘novice explorer’ from Bexley is taking on the world for his first adventure.

Charles Hannaford set off in April to cycle the globe to raise money for Meningitis Now and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The 24-year-old is aiming to raise £10,000, but knows the task will be difficult.

Charles said: “I am hoping it will take 12 months. A challenge like this is very difficult mentally and physically to keep momentum every day. It's very difficult. So I hope that people will see it as a worthy challenge and donate to these amazing charities.”

The explorer will be heading through Turkey and up to Kazakhstan then onto China, Australia, into Canada and then the USA.

He has already been through Serbia, Romania, and Slovakia raising over £3,800 for the two charities.

He said: “I have seen some beautiful places and met some wonderful people. Spent a night in a French flat with an elderly lady, stayed with a Romanian GP In his large holiday home and even a night in a monastery!

“None of them planned, all of them were very kind and generous. Shows that there really are wonderful people in the world and it's not all scary and dangerous.

“These two charities carry out invaluable work each and every day, and without them many people simply wouldn’t get by.

“The funds raised will be split evenly between the two organisations at the end of the project.”

Charles is sponsored by Fuel Inc, Asscott Cab Company and Tribe, and thanked Nick Woodward who runs Etz Technologies for his help in sorting insurance and money.

Charles has had backing from round the world cyclist and world record breaker Mark Beaumont, who said: “Taking on the world as a first madcap adventure, I applaud the tenacity and ambition of Charles Hannaford and know that he will live and share an inspiring journey.”

You can follow the journey on Charles’ website or through his blog and you can donate to his page here.