Kevin Benstead, who recently won an NHBC Pride in the Job Quality Award for his work on Robertson Homes’ Torvean development in Inverness, is cycling from the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro to the Kenyan coast before returning to the start to climb Kilimanjaro – at 5,895m the tallest mountain in Africa.

The gruelling challenge is the brainchild of Kevin’s friend and British Paralympic cyclist Karen Darke MBE and the pair will also be joined on the mountain climb by gold medal-winning Paralympian Steve Bate. Karen will be ascending the mountain on a specially adapted, hand-pedalled trike with visually impaired Steve riding a customised bike.

The team are raising money for World Jenny’s Day, a charity focussed on supporting mental health, and Voice of Specially Abled People (VOSAP), working to create an inclusive and accessible world.

Kevin said: “I have known Karen for more than ten years and I have joined her on previous charity adventures, such as cycling down the Ganges river in India in 2018, but this challenge takes things to a new level.

“Karen is a free spirit, a real person of the moment and as soon as she told me about her plans for this trip, I knew I had to take part. I’ve never been to Africa before so I’m looking forward to throwing myself in and doing the best I can for two great charities.”

Kevin’s trip takes place between 22nd August and 3rd September with Robertson Homes donating £500 to the fund. Kevin has worked for the housebuilder for six years having relocated to Inverness 16 years ago and was the company’s first ever NHBC Pride in the Job Award winner.

“I’ve never been south of the Equator before, so I am really looking forward to experiencing different cultures and seeing new sights” added Kevin. “I just hope we all cope with the challenges of high altitude on the mountain climb.”

Donations towards Kevin’s ‘Sea to Summit’ adventure can be made via Karen’s fundraising page and you can follow the team’s progress on Instagram at @handbikedarke