AN inspirational 11-year-old boy braved five days of aches and pains to hike 90 miles of Hadrian's Wall in aid of a Namibian wildlife charity.

Luke Bradbury, from Padgate, completed the feat along the historic site in Cumbria with his parents – Mike and Rachel – and eight others to raise funds for the Naankuse Foundation Wildlife Sanctuary.

The St Benedict's Catholic Primary School wasted no time in signing up for the five-day challenge after he was asked by his dad.

He has not ruled out taking part in similar fundraisers in the future.

"Every day of the walk was different and very hard, my feet and legs were aching but somehow my mum and I didn't get any blisters," he said.

"The first 10 or so miles each day were ok but it got a lot harder after that until the end.

"Mum and dad and the other walkers kept my spirits up and the thought of staying in a Premier Inn bed at the end of each day kept me going."

Mike, who works for Odeon Cinemas, decided to complete the fundraiser after speaking to a colleague who helped out in Namibia.

He said: "It was the first time we have done anything like this and was a nightmare at times.

"It was really difficult and there were times when there were tears but we kept going.

"It has spurred us on to do even more."

Bev Gilston-Hope, who spearheaded the trek after spending three weeks volunteering at the animal sanctuary in 2016, hailed Luke.

She said: "Luke was an inspiration to all of us and on the occasions when I genuinely thought I couldn't go on, it was Luke's determination that kept me going.

"He even passed up many an opportunity to get into the car for the last few miles because he wouldn't give in.

"Luke genuinely has absolutely no idea how awesome he is."

The group has raised more than £5,000 in total, with Luke, Rachel and Mike having raised more than £600 of the figure.

Part of the funds raised will go towards supporting the organisation in providing a home to orphaned, injured or conflicted animals.

Wherever possible, the sanctuary returns animals back into the wild, with only those who are too ill, injured or habituated remaining at its site.

The organisation currently cares for more than 120 animals, from leopards, cheetahs and lions to African wild dogs, baboons and meerkats.

Money will also be used to help build a new enclosure for the orphaned mongooses, as well as contributing towards food and veterinary care for the wildlife.

Hadrian's Wall was built by the Roman army on the orders of the emperor Hadrian following his visit to Britain in AD 122.

To donate vist mydonate.bt.com/teams/laughwhileyouhikers