David Lench, managing director of the Arun Estates Group, and his wife Vivien were special guests at a reception at 10 Downing Street hosted by Samantha Cameron on behalf of the children’s charity Action Medical Research (AMR).

The couple were invited to attend the event in recognition of the success that Arun Estates has achieved in raising money for the charity, which funds research throughout the UK into a range of children’s diseases and disabilities, including premature birth, meningitis, infant epilepsy and Downs Syndrome.

Last year alone, Arun Estates raised more than £30,000 for AMR.

David and Vivien also met broadcasters Fiona Bruce, who is a keen supporter of AMR, and Davina McCall, who was able to give him some valuable practical tips as he trains for his next mammoth fundraising effort.

This is a 1,000-mile bike ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats in September. David’s aim is to raise at least £100,000 in aid of AMR and other children’s charities supported by Arun.

Over the past few years, he has tackled a number of charity challenges, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and completing the Three Peaks Challenge.

He says his new challenge will be the most taxing yet. “It involves cycling approximately 70 miles a day for the best part of two weeks. But the worst part is all the hill-climbing. On some days, it means climbing a total of 5-6,000 feet. While this is reasonably straightforward for a keen cyclist, it’s rather more of a challenge for someone like me, who only took up cycling relatively recently.”

Donations to help David meet his £100,000 target can be made online at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/LenchLEJOG