A MAN from Warrington will undertake a gruelling summer of physical endurance in aid of charity.

Steve Hughes is an army veteran, and he sustained an injury during his service - since then, he has tackled endurance challenges to raise money for various charities.

Steve, who turned 54 on Saturday, says there's no chance that he will be slowing down, and he wants to remain as active as possible for as long as he can.

Warrington Guardian: Steve has previously completed challenges like this, as he wants to stay as active as possibleSteve has previously completed challenges like this, as he wants to stay as active as possible (Image: Newsquest)

With that in mind, he will be taking on the gruelling trek from Land's End to John O'Groats this summer.

Steve is no stranger to feats of endurance - he has already completed the trek before, as well as going in the other direction, too.

However, this challenge has a difference, as Steve is looking for others to join him on this year's journey.

The army veteran said: "I want to give other veterans a chance to do it, and to enjoy it.

"I've done it before, but this time I'm going to try and enjoy the scenery a lot more and enjoy the journey, too."

Steve has remained as active as possible, saying that activity keeps him busy and is good for his mental health - in 2020, for example, Steve says he undertook more than 100 marathons.

Warrington Guardian: Ste will be completing the London marathon as an official world record attemptSte will be completing the London marathon as an official world record attempt (Image: Ste Hughes)

This challenge is a little different from other charity treks, as Steve will be undertaking the effort on his sitski.

Steve previously competed for Team GB in 2020, and earned a bronze medal - with the IOC even looking at introducing a new event, combining wheelchairs with the biathlon.

He said: "I've got the determination to prove people wrong - whenever they say I can't do something, I just go ahead and do it anyway."

Not content with just tackling the Land's End to John O'Groats trail, Steve will also be undertaking the Manchester and London marathons this year, as well as the Great Manchester Run, the Great North Run, and the Warrington half marathon.

"I've been doing endurance stuff for a few years now," Steve said.

"I started doing half marathons, and then ultras... It's always been in the back of my mind."

Steve will be undertaking this year's London marathon as part of an official world record attempt, with him trying to complete the event on his sitski in the shortest amount of time possible.

The organisers of the event have granted the veteran special dispensation to use his sitski during the race.

Steve also does a lot of work promoting awareness of disabilities: "I've done talks in schools about hidden disabilities.

"More needs to be done to promote awareness."

Warrington Guardian: Ste will be undertaking the challenges on his sitskiSte will be undertaking the challenges on his sitski (Image: Ste Hughes)

Steve is actively looking for individuals who wish to join him on his Land's End to John O'Groats trek in August: "Anyone can join me, not just veterans.

"They'll need some experience, though!"

For more information, or to donate to Steve's fundraising events, you can visit his fundraising pages here:

  • https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stehughes23
  • https://www.gofundme.com/f/official-guinness-world-record