AN IT expert from Hull has run 63 miles for a little boy who underwent successful treatment for cancer.
Russ Kemp is usually sitting behind a computer screen but on Sunday, he pulled on his trainers to run from Sheffield to Hull for the Charlie Hook Appeal.
Russ, 33, of west Hull, set off on his challenge at about 6am, arriving in Hull at 7.30pm.
He said: "On Monday, I felt like I was walking on hot coals. I was half-tempted to go to work in fluffy slippers.
"I was waddling round like a penguin because my feet and legs are so sore but, thankfully, I haven't got any blisters."
Russ was running in weather hovering around the freezing mark and into the minuses on Sunday.
His trail covered lots of fields, so dew and frost often settled on his arms.
He said: "I've only ever done marathons before so 63 miles was a long way.
"When I got past my first marathon mark, I was really pleased.
"I was stopping every 13 miles for food and drink but, as soon as I stopped, it was freezing so I tried to keep going as much as possible."
Russ estimated his challenge at the weekend will have raised more than £8,000 for the charity.
The Charlie Hook Appeal was set up for Charlie, six, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma – an aggressive form of childhood cancer.
Although he underwent successful treatment in Leeds, he still faces an 80 per cent chance of relapse.
The appeal was set up to help take Charlie to the US for treatment if he relapses.
Russ said: "There was one point, when I was about 15 miles from the end, I really started to feel my legs. I had slowed my pace right down and I was so tired."
But despite feeling the burn and suffering for his cause, Russ said one thought kept him going throughout the challenge.
He said: "I kept thinking of Charlie and everyone who had pledged money to support me.
"I would have crawled the last bit if I'd had to rather than let people down."
Russ's challenge saw him set off from the Hallam FM studio in Sheffield at about 6am. He then crossed the region to head to the Viking FM studio in Hull.
His course took him through Rotherham, Doncaster, Winterton, Barton, the Humber Bridge and Hessle.
He said: "I'm over the moon with how it went. My support team and the people who sponsored me were all fantastic."
All the money Russ raises this year will go to the Charlie Hook Appeal.
Visit www.challengeruss.co.uk for more details and to sponsor him.
