A MAN with almost no bowel has completed an extraordinary 240-mile kayaking journey in aid of a Harrow hospital.

Justin Hansen, who calls himself the "gutless kayaker", did not eat a single meal during his 20-day expedition but was fed through a tube into his chest, pumping nutrients straight into his system from a backpack.

The 50-year-old, from Portsmouth, lost half his body weight due to Crohn’s disease and short bowel syndrome after 2003 and at times said he struggled to believe doctors who told him he would be fine.

But staff at St Mark's Hospital have helped him improve his condition and to repay them he is hoping to raise £20,000 for the research department.

He told the Harrow Times on Friday: “As far as the kayaking was concerned, that was pretty straight forward.

“I was surprised how I managed because I have not been able to do any real exercise since 2003.

“It was just a voyage of discovery for me in terms of what I could do if I had the medical support. It's been interesting for me to find out I can do lots of stuff – my life isn't over.

“I need a lot of help from a lot of people to do it, but it can be done.”

Mr Hansen, who says he owes “everything” to the doctors at St Mark's, has already raised nearly £14,000 but is hoping one last push will bring in another £6,500.

He began his epic journey in Manchester on September 11 and rowed his way down the east of England through 240 locks before finishing in Greenford yesterday afternoon.

After finishing his journey, he had a shower and went home for a well-earned curry.

He was accompanied by a friend for the entire trip and at times by two or three.

Dr Simon Gabe, Mr Hansen's gastroentorologist, cycled part of the route with Dr Michelle Marshall, clinical director of radiology.

He said: “It is people like Justin who can show other patients that life is still possible and dreams are still possible despite intestinal failure.

“This is something that is truly inconceivable for a patient at the beginning of the road when they are in a hospital bed coming to St Mark’s with bags on their abdomen, in pain, losing weight and having repeated infections.

“Justin is an inspiration to us all and is the very reason I do the job that I do.”

To donate Mr Hansen's appeal click here.