A GRUELLING endurance challenge has seen two men run 66 miles in one day to raise money and awareness for mental health charity Mind.

It could not come at a more poignant time as today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Workington Town Rugby League fan Alan Murray took on the endurance test with his friend and Whitehaven RL fan Martyn Wilson.

The rival clubs have come together for an important cause.

“In our own personal lives there are things where the black dog has come out,” said Alan.

So far, their fundraising cause has raised £841 on Just Giving for the mental health charity.

“In lockdown it’s people like Mind that people need more than ever.”

When embarking on the fundraising test, which saw them run 66 miles in 19 hours, the boys decided on a mental health awareness message.

Alan said: “The motto is to never give up on anyone.”

They deliberately timed their marathon effort to take place on May 1 before Mental Health Awareness Week so that they could start getting the message out there.

It was a mammoth effort which saw Alan and Martyn running from 5am until midnight.

“It was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’m still suffering from it now.

“It was out of this world but I’m proud we’ve done it. I think we did get the message across. People did get behind us.”

Inspired by the efforts of Gary McKee who is running 110 marathons in 110 days, Alan has also launched a raffle which will raise funds for Gary’s causes, Hospice at Home and Macmillan, as well as his own - Mind.

The two rugby league clubs have donated signed shirts to be raffled off for the causes.

Alan said: “I got a couple of shirts donated by Workington Town and I work with a couple of players from Whitehaven RL, they helped me get a Haven top signed.”

Alan and Martin have joined Gary McKee and former Whitehaven RL player Kevin Hetherington on some of their runs to support Gary as he works his way towards 110 marathons.

The raffle for Mind, Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria is £1 per go, to get involved, send your donation to townhavenjam@gmail.com on PayPal.

To make a donation to Alan and Martyn’s cause, visit Just Giving and search “66 miles to help Mind on May 1”.