A doting father has cycled 54 miles to raise money for a charity that supported his family while his young son was in hospital.

Trevor Nesbit, of Royal Wootton Bassett, set off from Clapham Common at 7.30am on Father’s Day to support Ronald McDonald House, Camberwell, which provides free accommodation to families of ill children.

Mr Nesbit, 36, and his family stayed there while his 20-month-old son, Josh, was treated at King’s College Hospital for a rare liver disease.

The ride finished at Brighton beach four-and-a-half-hours later and so far he has raised more than £2,000 for the charity.

Mr Nesbit stayed at the house on several occassions while Josh received treatment for biliary atresia, which affects newborns. It blocks the tract which takes bile from the liver to the intestines, and requires a liver transplant.

Josh, who is on the transplant list, was diagnosed with the disease when he was just four and a half weeks old. Much of his short life has been spent in hospital.

Mr Nesbit said: “The house was very comfortable and supportive.

“With the house located close to the hospital, I could be there for Josh whenever he needed me.

“There has not been two months where he hasn’t been back in hospital, either in Swindon or London.

“I did the London Marathon in 2010 for Great Ormond Street Hospital and this time I wanted to do something for a charity close to myself.”

Mr Nesbit only trained for three months and rode the hilly route with Stuart Ball, 36, a colleague at fibre optics company AFL, which is based at Hawksworth Industrial Estate.

Mr Nesbit said: “The crowd was amazing on Brighton seafront. It was a big buzz getting to the end and I felt pretty knackered.

“Ditchling Beacon was an absolute killer – that was the hardest part of the course.”

“I want to thank everyone who has donated so far. The support has been overwhelming and has made all the training and hard work worth it. I hope my fundraising will help Ronald McDonald House charities support more families in their time of need.”

He now aims to plan a three-day cycling challenge from London to Paris.

Ronald McDonald House was set up 21 years ago to provide a home away from home for families with children in hospital.

To sponsor Mr Nesbit, visit http://www.justgiving.com/ Trevor-Nesbit-LondontoBrighton