HE'S given hope to count-less people across the globe in dire need of aid during his 75 years.

Tireless Hampshire great-grandfather Dennis Lillywhite refuses to rest until he has done all he can to help orphans and those suffering appalling illnesses.

Now the intrepid pensioner is saddling up again to cycle 435 miles along the coast of Brazil to save the lives of lepers in a country where the disease affects more than five out of every 10,000 of the population.

He will set off from Natal on September 20, before 12 days later, arriving in Fortaleza.

He aims to collect £1,470 to cure 70 people through injections with his third sponsored bike ride for the British Leprosy Relief Association.

Dennis, of Braeside Crescent, Bitterne, Southampton, cycled 200 miles across India in the new year to help sufferers in the sub-continent. Hundreds of Romanian orphans also owe him a debt of gratitude for his annual shoebox appeals. But the widower says all he wants is a smile from the children and adults he helps to say thank you.

"I am one of these people who can't let a problem go by because I am compassionate," he said.

"Meeting those suffering from leprosy affects me in a big way and I keep doing bike rides like this to help as many as possible.

"Just seeing a couple of kids smiling at me is reward enough for what I do.

"When I see all the terrible things happening in the world today I have to do something."

His marathon journey is due to start on September 16 and end in October.

Anyone who wants to sponsor Dennis can contact him on 01703 422980.

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