A medieval warrior will take to the highways and byways of England and Scotland next week, on a mode of transport not usually associated with swords and shields.

Iain Houston, 39, a Transport for London bicycle programmer from Norbiton, will cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats across six days to raise money for an HIV and Aids charity in South Africa.

Sadly, he will not don his armour for the ride but he is offering to dress up with colleagues from Medieval Fight Club and visit schools, businesses and groups in exchange for money for the Bishop Simeon Trust.

Medieval Fight Club will bring the costumes, swords and shields of the middle ages to corporate events or and give workers a chance to try some sword fighting or battle with other weaponry in exchange for donations.

He said: “I have a target of £2,000 and it would be great to get as near as possible to this total before I set off on June 21. That money would feed something like 50 children for a month.”

To donate visit original.justgiving.com/iain_houston/.

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