A FUNDRAISER got his skates on for an unusual six-hour challenge.

Neil Howell completed the skate-a-thon at Dovercourt Skating rink on Sunday.

The 45-year-old of Stour Road, Dovercourt, is raising funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust after visiting the daughter of a close friend who had leukaemia.

He will also complete a gruelling 12 marathons in 12 months next year in a bid to raise £2,000 for the charity.

On Sunday Neil managed to skate 37.45 miles in six hours.

“I am very happy with what I achieved,” he said.

“It was just the heat that got to me but there is nothing you can do about that."

“I want to thank all those people who came out and supported me and to Dovercourt Skating Rink.”

His marathon mission will begin in Kent on January 24 and finish in Portsmouth on December 18.

Neil’s skating endeavour coincided with a family fun day at the skating rink.

Youngsters enjoyed a mega inflatable fun day with a bouncy castle, slides and skating.

To sponsor Neil visit his fundraising page at virginmoney giving.com/ChickenLegsTour.