A school volunteer has trekked more than 100km to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.
Darren Sagar, from Rishton, laced up his boots and overcame scorching hot weather and blisters to complete the charity walk from London to Southend.
The father-of-five, who volunteers at Rishton Methodist School, was joined on the trip by friend Dean Trotter and his wife Deborah Trotter and their son Stuart.
Darren, 42, has so far raised more than £500 for the charity and completed the 70-mile day and night walk in 28 hours and 35 minutes.
Participants started at Fulham Palace and had to pass through several checkpoints along the way with no sleep possible.
Darren, who is studying early years training at Blackburn College, said it was one of the most mentally, physically and emotionally challenging things he’d ever done.
He said: “I was told it was one of the hottest days of the year in London. It was absolutely roasting in the day but thankfully at night it cooled down and rained which was a bit of a godsend.
“I was happy with my time. About halfway round I was ready to quit as I had really bad blisters and my muscles had seized up.
“The longest I had walked before was 28 miles and the walk-way stop was about 31 miles.
“I got my blisters dressed by the paramedics and changed my footwear and knew that I had to carry on as it was for a really good cause.
“I did make it to the end but the last mile along Southend Pier felt like the longest ever. I started to get shin splints and every time I took a step it felt like someone was kicking me in the shin.”
Darren said he also posted pictures on Facebook along the walk and was given a boost by comments from family and friends.
He said: “They were offering me words of support and encouragement which helped keep me going.
“It was a great experience overall.
“At the time I said to myself I wouldn’t do it again as it’s a once in a lifetime thing, but after coming back home I’ve started thinking about maybe doing it next year and trying to beat my time.”
