HE’S the charity crusader who has raised more than £2m in nearly 20 years.

But Southampton’s very own fundraising Superman has completed yet another gruelling challenge after trekking up Europe’s highest mountain.

Despite only having the use of one side of his body due to cerebral palsy Gus McKechnie has achieved another feat for worthwhile causes.

The 39-year old walked through three countries in three days – France, Italy and Switzerland – when he hiked along steep and slippery paths along Mont Blanc.

Using his right leg to drive him up the steep mountain paths and the left to balance he reached heights in excess of 2,655 metres above sea level.

Joined by a team of 14 walkers he helped to raise more than £42,000 for the Weldmar Hospice Care Trust in Dorset which looked after his mum, Judy, when she was dying of cancer.

Speaking from his home in St Mary’s, Gus said: “It was quite tough. We were getting lots of support from those around us.

“When we got to the peak of the track it was very breathtaking. It was still something I can’t comprehend, but the thought of getting there was definitely worthwhile.”

But this is just the latest of many missions which the former Southampton Solent University student has embarked on during the past 20 years.

Previously he has cycled an incredible 50,000 miles on a static bike on board Red Funnel ferries travelling between Southampton and the Isle of Wight – raising £90,000.

Over the course of seven years the wheelchair rugby player became a familiar sight for passengers travelling with Red Funnel as he cycled the equivalent of twice round the equator in memory of his family.

Gus was inspired to embark on his fundraising challenges after the death of his brother Andy, who died from a genetic disorder, his father, who died just months before Andy in 2003, and his mum who died in 2007.

He is now setting his sights on completed 40 challenges as he approaches his 40th birthday.

The next big challenge is to row around the Isle of Wight solo in which Gus hopes to set some new rowing records as he sails around it in just 14 hours.

Gus has already held two disability world records for rowing 24 hours on a rowing machine and a 100 kilometres.

But for Gus it’s not necessarily about the records, rather than the four charities he’s helping – the Dorset hospice, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, breast cancer charity Coppafeel and Hampshire youth support charity Simon Says.

He said: “Over the years I have been using my own grief. I wanted to put that to good use to help other people.”

To sponsor Gus visit virginmoneygiving.com/gusrides or call 07583 051098.