A couple have cycled 500 miles across the desert to help raise £80,000 for disadvantaged kids in the UK and overseas.

Alison Harvey, 48, a Lighter Life weight management counsellor from Epsom, and her husband David, 52, completed the ride across the Jordan desert in just five and half days.

Twenty three people took part in the sponsored bike ride in aid of the Openwork Foundation’s Care 4 Kids Campaign with Mr and Mrs Harvey raising over £6,000 alone.

The couple, who trained for nine months, battled rough terrain, swarms of flies and 38 degree heat, sleeping in makeshift tents on the way.

Mrs Harvey has worked as a weight loss counsellor for the last six years and over that time has helped clients shed 24 tonnes between them.

She said: “Many clients sponsored me and some have even been inspired to take up cycling. “They tell me that as a result of seeing and hearing what I have achieved, they have been spurred on with their weight loss journeys.

“We are thinking of organising a cycle group on a Sunday to stay focused especially with the Olympic cycling route coming through our area next summer.

“It may come past one of my offices so we will run an event if that is the case to fundraise some more.”

A school for 1,000 children was recently built as part of the Care 4 kids Campaign in one of the Philippine’s most deprived areas.

Some of the money raised from the bike ride will help to fund a science department and sports equipment for the newly built school.