An accountant swapped his balanced books for balancing a bike in a gruelling 100 mile challenge - raising more than £2,000 for Diabetes UK in the process.

Mal Shah, a business partner at the Loughton accountancy firm of Hasler’s, took on the lengthy ride through central London and out to rural Essex as a “thank you” for the help his daughter Disha received.

Disha was diagnosed at nine with Type 1 Diabetes.

“The research by Diabetes UK has made a difference to so many lives, including my own daughter's,” Mal said.

“Riding 100 miles is something I never considered before, but knew I wanted to give back to a cause that is close to my heart.”

He was sponsored by Loughton businesses and friends and colleagues at his firm in Old Station Road which he said drove him “to cross that finish line”.

The firm’s chairman, Jon O’Shea, said: “Mal has been training and worked hard to raise so much for an incredible charity.” 

Hasler’s itself is no stranger to good causes, having raised £200,000 through its in-house foundation.