AS far as fundraising efforts go, it’s going to be hard to trump the lengths that Dr Steve Fabes is going to.

The 28-year-old registrar is embarking on a marathon solo cycling expedition that will ultimately take in each of the world’s six populated continents – a mere 50,000 miles.

And his sponsored cycle is going to take four-and-a-half years.

Dr Fabes from Southdale Road, Oxford, will eventually ride a distance the equivalent of almost twice the circumference of Earth.

And the reason? He is doing it all to raise funds for Merlin, which provides healthcare and medical relief for victims of natural disasters, conflict and disease.

Remarkably, he is embarking on this mammoth mission without a support team.

So when you next feel in two minds about participating in this year’s OX5 run around the grounds of Blenheim Palace, in aid of Oxford Children’s Hospital, think of the extraordinary efforts Dr Fabes is going to.

Don’t forget your puncture repair kit, Steve.