YOUNG sportsmen decide to go the extra mile ­— quite literally!

Sixth-formers Daniel Bentham and Piers Skeels-Caldwell decided to push themselves physically and mentally that little bit further so embarked on a endurance challenge, which saw them run one mile every hour for 24 hours.

The two attend Bolton School, with both members of the school Rugby Union first VX. Piers is the captain and Daniel vice-captain. They have played rugby together both for school and as part of the Lancashire Rugby Squad since Year Seven.

Daniel also plays water polo and has captained his country while representing England Water Polo.

Daniel said "‘We recognise the huge impact covid will have on charities and therefore on progressing cancer treatments and research.

"A number of our friends and family have benefitted from new innovative cancer treatments and we know that research is key to that."

Pier said: "We also know employed fundraisers are under huge stresses to maintain community funding given the economic impact of covid."

The two were supported in their challenge by their school friends who ran a lap alongside them.

The two started the run at 4pm, finishing at 3pm the following day.

Daniel said: "We had originally planned to do the run in the summer months but due to covid restrictions we were prevented from doing it together. In recent weeks, a local businessman, Ben Bate from Body Pro personal training, agreed for us to use his studio as a ‘run base’. "This meant we could run to and from the studio and, more importantly, run together."

Piers added: "Having originally anticipated running in the summer we were looking forward to the shorter nights.

"Running in October meant we ran twelve of the miles in the dark! Running in the dark was much harder. We were really lucky to be supported through the night by volunteer ‘lap runners’ including our school friends, family and members of sports teams we both play in. This kept us going.

"The 5am run was possibly the most difficult when the light still seemed a while off! The final lap came as a great relief and again we were grateful to those who ran with us."

The two said they are delighted to have raised £5,000 and had been left overwhelmed by "the generosity shown".