Santa Anth completes a 300-mile run for charity on Hartlepool's seafront - and declares 'it was the best experience of my life'

And at the end of it all, Hartlepool man Anthony Wheeler admitted: “It was the best experience of my life.”

Friends and family headed for Seaton Carew sea front to see Anthony complete the last 10k of his huge effort dressed as Santa Claus.

Anthony began his quest to run for Miles for Men on September 2 and has been a strong supporter of the charity. He has run the Miles for Men annual race six times. He has also been involved in two charity boxing matches for the cause.

This time, he raised around £500 from his mega efforts and praised everyone who supported him, especially his wife Claire.

Anthony said; “It was the best experience of my life but I couldn’t have done it with out the support of my wife Claire supporting and encouragement every day, every mile.”

The last leg, on Sunday, went ‘really well,” said Anthony.

"I had people stopping and taking pictures. There were people clapping for me and saying ‘well done’. I also had family friends at the start and finish waiting for me.”

Anthony has done the run in his spare time after his job of supplying the people of Hartlepool with daily fruit and veg from Fruit Fayre in Oxford Road where he works as a delivery driver.

Anthony, 39, also fitted in boot camp sessions from Monday to Thursday each week with the help of Steven Smith from the Body Doctors at Seaton Carew.

He said the run had become harder as the weather grew colder but he thanked everyone who has given support.

Miles for Men founder Micky Day said: “We can not thank Anth and his family enough. They have supported us since 2012 when Miles for Men began and the challenge that Anth competed showed amazing courage.”

Miles for Men started in 2012 when Micky founded the 5k run in memory of his father Michael Day senior, who died aged 68 after a one-year battle with throat cancer.

That first run attracted 1,000 runners and raised more than £40,000. Since then, Miles for Men has passed more than £400,000 donated to worthy causes and people.

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