A RUNNER has taken on a challenge to run 96 miles in four days for Young Lives vs Cancer. 

Tom Oldham, 30, from Shaftesbury, ran four miles every four hours in four days. 

Starting on March 8 and ending on March 11, Tom laced up his running shoes to raise money for Young Lives vs Cancer and has currently seen more than £2,500 donated. 

Tom said: “Having visited the Young Lives vs Cancer homes in Bristol, Southampton and London, I have seen for myself first-hand the amazing work the charity does so I am so pleased to have raised so much.

“The whole experience of running four miles every four hours for four days was really a great experience and I really appreciated everyone’s support so much.

"The whole experience really cemented my thoughts of the importance of utilising the power of your mind in life, which really helped me complete this challenge.”

Tom was inspired by an event created by an ex-Navy SEAL which saw participants ran four miles every four hours over 48 hours. 

Tom took the challenge and doubled it.

Liz Blunt, Young Lives vs Cancer’s fundraising engagement manager for Dorset, said: “Tom’s positivity and determination really helped him with this incredible challenge.

"It was wonderful how fantastic his family, friends and the community of Shaftesbury and surrounding area were in coming together to support Tom with joining him on runs, cheering him on and their generous donations.

“Families can stay free of charge for as long as they need to at Jean’s House, our charity Home from Home close by to Southampton Hospital which is the nearest specialist hospital for Dorset families. We only have Jean’s House thanks to incredible supporters like Tom who in raising £2,500 raised enough for three families to stay over 3 weeks each.

Tom's company We Heat South has also helped with maintenance issues at the charity's Southampton building, Jean's House. 

He has fundraised for the charity since February 2022.

To sponsor Tom, visit his JustGiving page.