Ian Bowden, from the Cornwall Music Service, has returned in triumph from an epic three week drive across the United States and Canada - having travelled 3,000 miles across 20 towns and cities and raising much needed funds for the Cornwall Music Therapy Trust.

He travelled from Seattle to Boston along the I90, the longest Interstate in America. His trip involved stopovers in a number of places, including Chigaco, Sioux Falls, Toledo, Cleveland, Erie and Niagara Falls. After reaching Seattle, he spent two days relaxing in New York before flying home to Cornwall.

Ian raised more than £185 for the Cornwall Music Therapy Service by offering access to his online "blogs" and photos to everyone who donated the Trust. He had donations from a number of lodges of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes ( RAOB), a worldwide charitable organisations, including one from the lodge he visited at Niagara Falls.

Arriving back in the UK after what he describes as a trip of a lifetime, Ian said " I enjoyed myself immensely and visited a number of places I will want to return to in the future . I'm definitely going to be re-organising my finances now I am home but it was worth every penny Cornwall Music Therapy Trust was established in August 2006 to oversee and help fund the development of and research into music therapy in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Through improvised music, a therapist aims to tune in to and support the client's unique set of communications, which may be expressed through the instruments, vocal sounds, movements, words or facial expressions.

The therapist also might encourage the client to explore connections between the music they create and their thoughts or the events in their life and will be aware of psychological processes at work and use appropriate strategies for any issues identified.

Rod Pierce, Adviser to the Trust, said "We are very grateful to Ian for sharing his anecdotes to raise finds for the Trust."

Ian's website, which includes links to details of the trust and how to donate, will be on-line until the end of the year. It can be found at www.i90trip.info