Charity trip of a lifetime inspired by disaster.

A FORMER Northumberland council boss has swapped the comforts of home for a saddle and tent after setting off on a marathon charity bike ride across South America.

Cycling fanatic Ken Dunbar - the former chief executive of Castle Morpeth Borough Council - is raising cash for a number of good causes on the 8,600-mile trek, which started in Argentina and will end in Colombia. One of them is the

British Red Cross, whose 'incredible' voluntary work helping victims of last September's flooding crisis in Morpeth partly inspired Ken, 48, to make his trip of a lifetime.

Dealing with the aftermath of the flooding was the biggest test which he faced during his six years with the council, which was abolished in April under local government reform. Ken, who is married with two grown-up sons and one grandchild, is now two weeks into his mammoth trek, which started in Ushaia, Tierra del Fuego and will finish in Cartagena Colombia.

The eight-month odyssey will take him through Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador, and he intends to complete the journey without a break. Ken will is also raising funds for the Latin America Foundation for the Future, which supports young and vulnerable people in Peru escape poverty and disease. He said: "I couldn't pass up this chance to embark on an epic journey, away from the desk and on my bike over the whole length of South America. I hope to make my family proud by doing a bit of fundraising for organisations who really need help if they are to continue to do the work they do in highly challenging situations." Ken is seeking donations via his website www.wkd-life.com..