A FATHER-OF-three who cycled across Zimbabwe dressed as a clown in order to hand Robert Mugabe a gift has vowed to again help out the troubled nation.

Richard Pantlin, of Hurst Street, East Oxford, embarked on the daring mission across one of the world’s most volatile countries earlier this year to hand a postcard and letter to the premier.

So far he has also raised nearly £6,000 to help build an orphanage in the African country – and people are still able to support the appeal.

Shunning Foreign Office advice to keep a low profile, Mr Pantlin juggled and told jokes to locals as he cycled the 600km from Bulawayo to the capital, Harare.

The 50-year-old even played reggae and rap from loudspeakers as he cycled with Zimbabwean-born Asher Mupasi, from the charity Health Education and Learning Programme (Help), which is building the orphanage.

The journey soon became much more than just a fundraising stunt, he said.

He said: “It became quite a spiritual journey. I wanted to remind Mugabe what the country once stood for.

“In the letter I spoke of my own experiences in the country and asked him to respect the rule of law, to act in the spirit of reconciliation and bring peace to the country.”

The postcard he took with him as a gift for Mugabe, bought on his only previous trip to the country 20 years ago, featured happy Zimbabweans going about their day-to-day lives, which Mr Pantlin said he hoped would serve as a reminder of how things used to be.

He was turned away from Mr Mugabe’s residences in Harare, but eventually delivered the package to his Munhumutapa Building office, although he did not meet him in person.

He is now considering going back to the country on another cycle mission.

He said: “The situation in Zim seems to have deteriorated once again and I’m starting to wonder whether I should go back and offer some support to the country. I will probably do another cycle ride.”

For now, Mr Pantlin said his wife Alexandra, step-daughter Yasmin, 21, and two sons Jonathan, 11, and William, two, are more than happy to have him home again.

To donate to the appeal, visit justgiving.co.uk/funzimride