A VETERAN celebrated his 60th birthday by completing a 268-mile 'gallop' despite injuring himself on the first day.

Spennymoor veteran, Phil Bartlett, has raised more than £80,000 for Help for Heroes over several years with his popular clay pigeon shoot fundraiser but wanted to do something different to mark his milestone birthday.

Formerly of the Royal Corps of Transport, Mr Bartlett, is now hoping to raise the extra funds needed to reach his new £100,000 target and raised nearly £4,000 from this event alone.

Named the Garrison Gallop, the grandfather planned to run the 268 miles in 18 days from Chavasse House, in Colchester Garrison to Phoenix House, in Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire.

The fundraising champion trained hard for the challenge which involved running on average 15 miles a day.

However, a stress fracture on the first day threatened to derail the plan after Mr Bartlett was told not to run on it.

Determined not to be defeated, Mr Bartlett decided to walk the whole course, still completing the same gruesome mileage each day.

After setting off from Chavasse House on August 13, he arrived to cheers at Phoenix House on Thursday where veterans and his family had come out to support him.

He was also joined by volunteers along the way who drove alongside him in a support vehicle.

Completing the challenge with his flag raised above his head, Mr Bartlett said he had enjoyed every minute.

"It's been an adventure," he said. "It's been an amazing three weeks and my sister even came up all the way from Devon as a surprise which was lovely.

"There were a lot of people there wishing us the best when we arrived and it was an amazing journey because there were lots of people who came out to meet us along the way."

"I've met some fantastic people and made some lifelong friends."

Talking about his fundraising he added: "We raised between £3,500 and £4,000 and I'm happy for anything we get for Help for Heroes and it takes me closer to my £100,000 target."

Mr Bartlett said he was determined to carry on with the 'gallop' despite medical advice to stop when he suffered a stress fracture in his leg on the first day.

"That was a memorable moment," he said. "Medical advice said to stop but I knew I could walk it so I ignored them and just put up with the pain and completed the challenge - I never lost any motivation and I knew I was going to do it."

He added: "I did not want it to end and I have already got plans for next year - I am going to do it again."

The birthday boy was even greeted with a cake to celebrate his 60th.

Mr Bartlett said he was looking forward to a "long bath" following the challenge but would lose no time in writing his thank you letters to everyone who had supported him.

He said he will not stop until he has raised his £100,000 and already has plans in the pipeline for his next fundraising challenge.

Help for Heroes was launched in 2007 as a charity dedicated to helping servicemen and women who have been wounded or injured while serving their country.

To sponsor Mr Bartlett visit Justgiving.com and search for the fundraising page Phil Bartlett or for more information call him on 07980-369468, weekdays after 5pm, or alternatively, email philbartlett1958@gmail.com