A FUNDRAISER has completed an incredible 100-mile run in one day - and pulled in a whopping £35,000 for charity by taking on the challenge.

Harry Townshend recently completed a 100-mile run around Dorset, the equivalent of running from Bournemouth to London, or powering through almost four marathons one after another, to raise raising more than £35,000 for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT).

Harry, a 36-year-old father of two from London, said a passion for the “wonderful scenery and biodiversity” of the British countryside and a “running obsession” led him to take on the challenge of completing the run in just 24 hours. He set off from Abbotsbury on the coast at 7am on Saturday 10 and, pushing through pain, poor weather and darkness and arrived at the finish line, back in Abbotsbury, before 7am on Sunday, July 11.

Harry said: “I am absolutely amazed that we have been able to raise £35k for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust. Saying ‘thank you’ to the many people who have donated does not seem enough. I, and the GWCT, are incredibly grateful and I am really rather speechless.

“When I embarked on my 100-mile mission I imagined it as an individual effort. Last weekend I learned that I was in fact entirely dependent on my support team to get me over the finish line. The generosity of the many people who pledged to donate was far more important to me in the early hours of Sunday morning that the many hours of training I had done.”

GWCT Chief Executive Teresa Dent CBE, said: “We are in awe of Harry for completing this extraordinary challenge and so grateful for the incredible £35,000 he has raised. His efforts, and the generosity of those who donated, will enable our scientists to continue vital research into habitat and species recovery and our advisors to carry on supporting farmers, gamekeepers and land managers to create a thriving countryside rich in wildlife.”

Harry’s support team, led by his wife Alice, kept him supplied with calories and encouragement throughout the run. He ran the first leg, the equivalent of one marathon, alone. After a brief rest stop and an ice cream, he was joined by school friend and fellow GWCT supporter, Arthur Scott from Rotherfield in Hampshire, for another marathon.

Harry completed his third marathon with friend William Scholes in the early hours of Sunday morning and after a 10-minute stop he set off for the final leg with friend and first-time marathon runner, Xander Caldin. The pair finished at 6.48am.

Harry’s JustGiving fundraising page is still open for donations at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/harry-townshend