A Farnham man has raised nearly £4,000 of vital funds for Hertfordshire-based charity Electric Umbrella after he cycled the length of Africa.

Steve Owen (54), from Farnham in Surrey, was aiming to raise as much money as possible for Electric Umbrella – who create amazing live music experiences with learning disabled people.

Steve’s journey started back in January as he set off from Cairo, Egypt and cycled all the way to Cape Town, South Africa – a journey of over 9,000km.

Steve’s trip took over three months to complete as he saw some incredible sights and sounds on his journey through the continent.

His efforts equated to around 125 km per day for five days at a time, with one day off for rest and then repeat. Steve camped for the duration of his journey through the continent and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

He said: “The countries were amazing.

“I was surprised with Sudan. Maybe I went with preconceived ideas, but the Sudanese people were really, really nice. Genuinely, from the heart, they were lovely.

“Botswana there were elephants charging at us, that was an eye opener! Trucks had to sort of come between us and the elephants to protect us.

“There were more snakes than I realised – and I hate snakes!

“We saw two dead black mambas on the road, somebody rode over a puff adder, which are deadly, and there was another one under one of the support vehicles.

“If you get bitten by one, they’ll literally chop off your limb because it eats away at your flesh.

“There were spitting cobras, snakes caught in people’s spokes, but along the journey the views were just amazing.

“I went through something like three or four deserts – the Kalahari Desert as you’re coming into Namibia, the scenery is just stunning.

“The red mountains are fantastic and then suddenly you’ve got a pack of zebras coming across your path.

“Or you open up your tent in the morning and there’s a whole family of giraffes eating – it’s just mind-blowing!”

Most importantly, Steve was able to raise vital funds and awareness for Electric Umbrella.

He added: “I wish I could’ve raised more, but I’m pleased.

“When I went to my first Electric Umbrella event, I really reflected on it thinking: ‘Come on, some of the volunteers there, what they give up and the effort they put in is greater than the effort I did’.

“Without a shadow of a doubt, mine was just scratching the surface. They’re doing it day in, day out.

“They deserve a bigger medal than mine.

“I think it also raises a level of awareness to people as well.

“The lesson of Electric Umbrella is redefining what’s normal – and it was the same in Africa.

“To give an analogy of that – on this trip there was a 73-year-old, a 78-year-old and a couple of 66-year-olds. They redefined what’s normal.

“They were amazing people – and it just shows you not to label people. Nothing is normal.”

Set up as a charity in 2016, Electric Umbrella co-creates amazing, meaningful live music experiences with learning disabled adults, who learn new skills and build confidence.

In doing so, they believe they can help empower learning disabled people to be who they are – and consequently challenge perceptions.

This is all because Electric Umbrella believes learning disabled people are all too often left behind.

Given the right support, and fantastic opportunities, Electric Umbrella believe anyone can be a superstar.

Electric Umbrella CEO Mel Boda said: “We are absolutely bowled over by the effort Steve has made to raise vital funds and awareness for Electric Umbrella.

“To continue to deliver amazing music experiences for learning disabled people, this kind of support is crucial.

“The impact of Steve’s efforts will be far-reaching. We would like to thank him for his selfless actions and wish him a well-earned rest!”

You still can donate to Steve’s JustGiving page here: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/steveowentda