A MAN helped by cave rescuers gave something back to the volunteers who went to his aid by raising thousands of pounds in the gruelling Wall Challenge.

Stephen Elliott, from Bentham, raised £2,000 for the Clapham-based Cave Rescue Organisation (CRO) by running 69 miles across the length of Hadrian's Wall from Carlisle to Newcastle in sweltering heat.

"It was unbelievably painful, by far the hardest thing I have ever done and I have done some crazy things in the past," said Mr Elliott. "It was so unbelievably hard at times. I think the heat was a big part of why so many people did not achieve it."

One of the participants who did not make it to the end was his team-mate Erik Hedblom, who had to call a halt after 50 kilometres as he was suffering from the symptoms of heatstroke.

"I felt really bad for Erik. He had trained so hard," Stephen said. "I had sunburn and got blisters on my back off my backpack but didn't notice it until I got into shower."

The keen fellwalker had wanted to do something to help the voluntary rescue organisation after he broke his leg two years ago.

"I slipped and broke my leg. Two of the rescue team members came out and carried me down the hill, which wasn't easy. I'm a pretty big guy. At the time I was close to 20 stone. I doubt I could've done it myself," he said.

"It was also a Saturday before Christmas, so I bet they had better things to do. I wanted to give something back and when the chance came to do this, I thought the Wall would be something I could do."

Stephen, who completed the ultra in 20 hours and 29 minutes, is looking forward to raising money for the CRO in the future once his feet have recovered.

"I would never do it again but I would love to do something similar," he said. "Looking back I'm so happy that I have done it, and I'm stoked by how much money I have managed to raise. I'm so grateful for all the support I have got from my family and friends."

Visit Stephen's fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Stephen-Elliott19