A Reading man who lost his dad to suicide ran the length of Britain with his best friends to raise money for a mental health charity.

Pete Crocombe and three friends completed 900 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats in consecutive 90-minute solo shifts, all day and all night.

Supported by two campervans, the team ate and slept on the road, constantly moving until they reached the most northerly point of Great Britain.

“What a week. The team and I are so incredibly grateful for all the support shown to us on the road, and via donations – it really has been overwhelming," said Peter.

"To take on this challenge as part of a team of friends, with all the ups and downs that a task of this magnitude entails, it’s safe to say that we are now brothers for life.

“There were a few challenges along the way, including illness and a snowstorm, but not once did this detract from our goal."

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They completed the challenge in six days, six hours, 27 minutes and 17 seconds, which could be a world record (subject to Guiness confirmation). 

Along their journey, they climbed more than 44,000 feet - the equivalent of one and half times the height of Everest.

Pete’s father, Paul, was one of 4912 people whose suicides were registered* in England in 2020, according to the Office for National Statistics.

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His son raised £34,895 on March 26, alongside Liam Bendell, Gus Barton, and Jack Mayhew, for Sport in Mind, a charity which uses sport and physical activity groups to aid recovery from mental health problems.

For confidential support, call the Samaritans for free on 08457 90 90 90 or visit a local Samaritans branch. Click here for details.

*Paul died in 2020, but not all deaths occur in the year they are registered.