A 75-year-old grandfather will row two marathons in a day as he raise money in memory of his son.

Ken Mason, a former distance walker, will take on the 53-mile challenge on his rowing machine, to collect money for the Connection, a homeless charity based in Charing Cross.

He was inspired after his son Guy died aged 46 in New York from alcohol poisoning – having narrowly avoided being in the World Trade Centre towers during September 11.

Mr Mason said: “About 90 per cent of homeless people have alcohol problems so, although Guy was not homeless, alcohol problems are still a huge thing for the family.

“He was working in the City and always liked a drink. His wife was also a high-flyer and when they flipped a coin to see who would stay home and care for the kids, he lost. He had worked in the towers, so he would have died in 9/11, but instead I think staying home encouraged his drinking.”

Mr Mason, who won national walking races from London to Brighton in the 1960s, does a lot of work for the Connection with his wife, Hazel, and is keen to add his support.

He said: “For a 75-year-old I am pretty fit but this is going to be a real challenge.

“I have chosen this distance, as it represents the distance between London and Brighton. It encapsulates part of my history of competing and winning long-distance speed walking races in the 60s.

“In training for this event I have, rather belatedly, become all too aware that age is a dominant factor in the pursuit of a physical challenge and I am finding muscles that I have not used for many years – and others that I want to call upon that I find have disappeared.”

Mr Mason is inviting friends and family to the event on August 19 and is asking for donation of a second rowing machine for the day so those who want to can join him in the challenge throughout the day.

To donate or offer Mr Mason a rowing machine email kennethmason1@virginmedia.com.