AN 89-YEAR-OLD fundraiser and cyclist has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity.

Stan Wall from Chadwell St Marys has been raising cash for various charitable organisations since the death of his wife in 2006.

He has helped various charities including Help for Heroes, St Luke's Hospice, Basildon, the Essex Air Ambulance and other groups and charities.

His latest feat was a charity 23 mile bike ride and he raised £3,500 for the Help the Heroes charity.

He said: "My wife, June Wall, died of cancer aged 76 and she was cared for by St Luke's Hospice in Basildon, I wanted to give something back to them.

"This year's event took place at the Civic Hall, Blackshots Lane, Grays in June. I started at about 9.30am and cycled 21 miles around a course at the centre.

"I finished at about 12.30pm which is quite fast. The event was called the Thurrock Cycle Marathon and it was organised by the Rotary Club of Mar Dyke Valley, Grays."

Stan received an award from the Rotary Club for his fundraising efforts during a presentation evening held by the club.

He was in the armed forces as a teenager and said he wanted to help the Help the Heroes charity as he knows first hand about what service men and women face in the armed forces.

Mr Wall said: "I was in the Queens Regiment of the British Army from the age of 18 years old and I was moved to Egypt, and I was later stationed in Colchester.

"That is why I want to give something back to the charity as the money goes towards helping the service men and women recover from their experiences."

Mr Wall also walks the streets knocking on doors asking for donations for his chosen charities.

Despite his age he has no plans to give up the fundraising yet.