A Silsden man is set to tackle a gruelling challenge to raise money for charity.

Sam Boatwright, 29, formerly of Malham, is planning to run 2,500 miles around the coastline of the UK in just 50 days.

Sam and his Skipton Rugby Club teammate Matt Spears came up with the idea to raise money for Help For Heroes, a charity that helps soldiers who have been wounded in Britain’s current conflicts.

The run will start in Blackpool on April 6 and finish 50 days later in Skipton on May 25.

“We wanted to do something that was going to test us and put us through the wringer,” said Sam, who served in the Royal Navy when he was younger.

The two men have set up a website, epicrun.co.uk, which says: “We understand that this is tough, but what some of our servicemen and women are going through is far, far tougher. There are not many people who believe that what we are proposing is even possible, and far fewer that are wanting to join us.”

Although the pair had planned to do the run together, Sam said Matt pulled out because he did not think he would be able to do it.

However, Matt will still support Sam along the way and Sam remains determined to complete the challenge.

“It’s going to test me mentally and physically, and push my body to the absolute limit,” he said. “But I’ve got to keep my mind focused when I’m running, so I can pace myself. If I go too fast, I’ll burn myself out.”

And Sam said that his co-workers, Amanda Robinson and Jane Pegs, at Escape Health Club in Skipton, had been very supportive.

“My manager Amanda has allowed me to use the club facilities to train for the challenge and Jane has been helping me with my pacing and has done a lot of work organising sponsorship.”

Sam runs 150 miles a week to train for the challenge.

To make a donation or help out Sam on his journey, visit epicrun.co.uk, bmycharity.com/ EpicRun, or visit facebook. com/pages/Epic-Run or Twitter @Epic__Run.