ENDURANCE runner Lee Dodgson is well on target in his bid to run 827 miles for charity.

After more than a week on the roads the Hartlepool runner has made it into Scotland after setting off from Lands End just over a week ago.

The dedicated runner is averaging more than 50 miles a day as he makes his way from one end of the Uk to the other in aid of the town’s Alice House Hospice.

Mr Dodgson and running partner John Hewitson set themselves a target of 16 days to complete the project, which meant running two marathons every day for more than two weeks.

But after the first half marathon of day three, Mr Hewitson suffered a serious leg injury, which meant he was unable to go on.

However, the support he has received from friends and family, along with those he has met on the journey, have kept the runner’s spirits high.

His father-in-law, Kevin Fincken, said: “The power of social media has pushed and promoted this challenge right across the country with offers of and support coming from everywhere. “This puts everything into perspective and shows how people rally round in times of need.”

Before they set off on their epic challenge Tracy Woodall, the chief executive of Alice House Hospice, wrote how much their efforts would mean for the charity.

She said: “The pain of knowing that soon they will not be able to experience the rain on their face or the sun on their backs, the fear of not being able to hold and comfort their loved ones through the isolation and despair of their death.

“The acceptance that they will never again see the fields and the hills, the birds and the immense beauty of the world, so as you run Lee, see these things for our patients and experience everything they cannot.

“Your gruelling journey will end in a few days and your pain and suffering will support those whose journey is just beginning and is lifelong and on behalf of each and every one of those people, now and for years to come I send you their love, admiration and gratitude because you are both truly unique people and we have ultimate admiration for you both.”

You can follow his progress by searching #lejog17 on Facebook while people can donate at lejogah.everydayhero.com/uk/lejog17