A MAN is preparing to create his own wheel of fortune by spending 24 hours in a giant hamster wheel to raise money for charity.

Last month the Echo told how Dean Ovel, 40, of Avenue Road, Westcliff, was planning to run in a custom-made 8ft hamster wheel to raise £100,000 for Southend Hospital's dementia appeal.

The challenge will take place this weekend.

Mr Ovel said: “It should be a really great atmosphere as we’ll have everything from bands and choirs to the handsome hamster competition and for those feeling a little more energetic they can cycle for a mile next to me on some spin cycles.”

The dementia appeal is close to Mr Ovel’s heart as both his grandmothers had the condition.

With perfect timing, the mammoth challenge starts on the last day of Dementia Awareness Week.

The hamster wheel will be situated at the top end of Southend High Street from midday on Saturday.

Lucy Lock, fundraising officer at Southend Hospital, said: “Dean will help get us off to a flying start and his zany antics will hopefully raise both a few eyebrows and awareness. I can’t think of a more inspiring end to Dementia Awareness Week.”

There are almost one million people living in the UK with dementia and it is estimated that over 25 per cent of patients in hospital have the condition.

The appeal has been set up to provide two therapeutic and interactive day rooms at the hospital, as well as specialist hearing aids, reminiscence items like memory boxes and more.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/human-hamster