ADVENTURER Sam Greatrex, from Halesowen, has smashed his £240,000 fundraising target after completing his latest challenge cycling 2,500 miles across South America.

The intrepid 30-year-old scaled down his Lap the World challenge to complete the fastest human-powered circumnavigation of the planet, after a record-breaking row of the Atlantic Ocean earlier this year.

He decided the cost of rowing the Pacific Ocean would detract from his fundraising and that he would cycle and row as far as his legs and arms would take him.

His latest mammoth coast to coast cycle across South America ended in Peru last week with money raised for Macmillan Cancer Support tipping the £250,000 mark.

The cancer survivor, who wanted to repay the charity which had been a lifeline after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, said he was “thrilled” to have raised so much.

Mr Greatrex, of Cloister Drive, said “The donations and words of support from my friends and family was a great motivation during the year it took to complete the expedition, and the many years of planning before even leaving England.

'I'm really humbled so many people have donated to the charity, and it just shows the positive affect the work of Macmillan has for so many people throughout the UK.

“I'm glad this journey has been able to help the charity reach more people affected by cancer with the same, amazing level of care that I received.”

He added: “Without the support of my generous sponsors Natural Power, Rotatrim, National Express, Grassroots and Dawes Cycles, this challenge would not have been possible.”

His South American leg, which took 24 days, included a 4,000m climb up the Andes mountains and through the Amazon rainforest.

Mr Greatrex had already completed a 1,700-mile cycle across Europe from Paris to the Portuguese town of Lagos, after embarking on his challenge last September.

His record-breaking 3,500-mile row across the North Atlantic from Lagos to Trinidad, was completed in March in just 51 days with help from a four-strong crew.

Ted Leeming, managing director at Natural Power, said: “We are incredibly proud to have helped make this possible for Sam and Macmillan.

“His motivation to take on such an incredible and pioneering challenge should be an inspiration to us all.”

Craig Fordham, head of challenge events at Macmillan Cancer Support, added: "Without heroic and fantastic fundraising efforts like Sam's, Macmillan could not provide vital services to help ensure that no one has to face cancer alone.”