A FORMER Otley schoolboy has completed an 'epic' challenge for a cause close to his heart.

Dom Oddy clocked up 100 miles in 25 hours by finishing 20 laps of the Mizuno Endure24 at Bramham Park, near Wetherby, on July 1.

His efforts raised £1,800 for the Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, which had provided outstanding palliative care to his grandmother, Shirley, before her death in 2011.

The former Prince Henry's Grammar School student, who grew up in Bramhope, said: "Wheatfields were particularly good in not only looking after my nana but also supporting my grandad and family during a very difficult time.

"These challenges I have participated in are a small way of giving something back to the kind people at Wheatfields who made my nana's last weeks as happy as they could be: the care provided was excellent.

"Hopefully, by fundraising other families will benefit in the future in the same way we did."

The race took place over a five mile - eight kilometre - woodland trail loop and Dom found the 19th of his 20 laps the toughest, but made it through with the help of friends and family.

He added: "It was a very tough challenge.

"The last few hours, in particular, I could barely walk due to the pain in my legs and feet and a lack of energy, but my friends and family accompanied me on some of the laps through the night and the following morning to help me complete 100 miles.

"Unfortunately, I suffered a stress fracture to the foot and had several blisters however it was all worthwhile to raise so much money for a great cause!"

The Mizuno Endure24 is the second challenge Dom has taken on to raise funds and awareness for Wheatfields.

In 2016 he completed The Rat Race – The Wall, running 69 miles from Carlisle to Newcastle in just 13 hours, for the hospice.

Senior Community Fundraiser at Wheatfields, Kirsty Christmas, said: "We are absolutely in awe of Dom and the epic challenges he has taken on to support our hospice, which cared for his nana.

"He has so far raised the fantastic sum of £3,800 in total, which will help us to continue providing incredible end of life care to local people.

"We are so grateful for his support."

Based in Headingley, Wheatfields offers a range of support to people living with life-limiting conditions both through its hospice and through at-home day services.

To find out more visit sueryder.org/wheatfields .