IT may not be a particularly sociable way to mark a special birthday, but Jeremy Keeling will be celebrating his 50th by travelling the coastline of England on his motorbike.

Jeremy, who is a keeper at Monkey World ape rescue centre in Wool, near Wareham, is hoping the challenge will raise money for local children's hospice Julia's House.

He said: "I was going to do it anyway because it's an ambition of mine.

"Something I've always wanted to do is ride my bike round the coastline of England.

"On my 40th birthday my kids did a surprise party, which I hate, so I thought the best thing to do this time was to go off so I'm somewhere no one can get hold of me! So I'm putting the two together.

"I thought it would be quite nice if someone could benefit from it so I thought of a children's hospice I wanted to see what I could raise for them."

Jeremy, who celebrates his 50th birthday on October 8, will be setting off on his bike ride on Friday, October 6.

He said: "If I can get to Dover or Ramsgate and do that in the first night then I could work my way up the east coast.

"I really want to spend my birthday in north Yorkshire because I've got a lot of nostalgia there from my childhood.

"I've only got a week off work so I'm hoping I can do it in nine days, so I've got to get my finger out, but it should be possible."

  • To sponsor Jeremy, call Julia's House on 01202 640402.