Hartlepool's 10,000-mile challenge man Paul is ahead of scheduleS

The 47-year-old self-confessed couch potato has set himself an extreme fitness challenge to cover 10,000 miles in 365 days and raise cash for a North East charity.

Paul is covering the colossal distance by walking, running and cycling in aid of the Chris Lucas Trust, which raises money for research into an aggressive form of teenage cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma.

He is dividing his time between hitting the road locally during the week, to fit in with work commitments, and heading further afield at weekends, sometimes going back to pick up where he left off previously and sometimes accpeting a growing number of invitations to attend events across the country.

“It is all going pretty well,” he said.

“I am 54 days in to it and I should reach 1,676 miles completed.

“I am out and about every day during the week - I do some miles in the morning and then in the evening I do a few more.”

A recent plan to pick up his trail in East Anglia bit the dust after his support car was involved in an accident, but other weekends have seen him travelling far and wide.

“Last month I was invited to the Borders, to Berwick, and this weekend we were supposed to be going to the Lake District but because of the weather, that has been put off to next weekend,” said Paul.

“And I have been invited to take part in the Surrey half marathon, so I will be going down to do that.”

The elements have proved to be the biggest hurdle for Paul to overcome, while the support of the public has been his greatest source of encouragement.

“I have been out in some foul weather and been absolutely battered,” he said.

“But people have been coming to the Facebook page and posting to show their support, which is great.

“That’s the thing about this town of ours - there are some great people here.”

Now, almost two months in, Paul finds himself around a week ahead of schedule and wondering what to do should he hit the target early.

“I don’t know whether to just go for the 10,000 miles or whether to carry on and see how far I can do in the year,” he said.

To find out more visit www.facebook.com/wrrchallenge or www.wrrchallenge.com and to donate text WRR17 £5 to 70070 or visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wrrchallenge