Grateful son runs six marathons in six days to raise cash for Milton Keynes hospital

Firefighter Sam Welland is on the final day of his journey, which started at his mum's house in Two Mile Ash.

His final destination will be his own home in Chester and his route has mainly been along canal towpaths. Friends and family have supported him with food and medical supplies along the route.

Though his feet are sore and bleeding, he is in fine spirits, say his family. And he has already raised 90 per cent of his £2,650.

This includes donations from complete strangers who have been moved by his efforts after meeting him en route.

The money will be given to the Critical Care Unit at Milton Keynes Hospital, where Sam's mum Elizabeth Harris was looked after last year.

Elizabeth sadly lost her battle with heart disease in April. She was 71.

Her daughter Sarah said: "We all miss her terribly but we cannot fault the amazing care that she had from all of the staff at MK Hospital, particularly those in the Critical Care Unit and Cardiac Ward.

"We were especially grateful for the family room which I believe is funded through donations and the special chairs that enabled mum to get out of bed for a brief while.

"We raised well over £1000 at her funeral which has already gone to the CCU but Sam, a firefighter in Chester has now raised an additional £2300 and that’s still growing."

Sam said: "The man I am today is down to the unconditional love and support my mum gave me throughout my life."

He added: "Mum was cared for in her last few weeks by the amazing staff at the critical care unit in Milton Keynes Hospital and I am hoping to raise some money to buy a much needed specialist chair which allow critically ill patients like mum to be cared for in comfort."

You can donate to the Sam's fundraising page here