A FUNDRAISER is getting his skates on for charity in an unusual six hour challenge before taking on a mammoth 12 marathons in 12 months.

Neil Howell, 45, of Stour Road, Dovercourt, decided to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust after visiting the leukaemia-stricken daughter of one of his close friends.

He said: “On Christmas Day 2013, I decided to nip in and see her at the hospital in Leeds. I was struck by how good a job they do there.

"They’re not nurses, they’re angels.

“It wasn’t like a cancer ward. It was like a home.”

Inspired into action, Neil proceeded to spend his 44th birthday walking across the roof of the 200ft-high O2 Arena to raise money for the trust.

Now he is hoping to raise £2,000 through his six-hour skate-a-thon and by running an exhausting 12 marathons in 12 months during 2016.

He will be combining the skate with a family fun day, organised by Dovercourt Skating Rink, on August 23.

Neil will then set his sights firmly on an astonishing 12 marathons in as many months, running as far afield as Wales and the Isle of Wight.

Join Neil for his skate from 7am to 1pm, or buy a wristband for two sessions of mega inflatable fun at Dovercourt Skating Rink.

The inflatables will be brought in for two limited availability sessions from 11am to 1pm or 2pm to 4pm.

There will also be stalls and hot and cold food on the day, with all proceeds going to the cause.

To book a £5 wristband and for more information about the event, go to simplyskating.co.uk/mega funday.

To donate, visit virginmoneygiving.com/ChickenLegs-Tour