Paramedic Phil Halls is approaching the finish line of his year-long challenge to raise money in memory of a fellow colleague.
Mr Halls, 37, of St Nicholas Close, North Bradley, has run five kilometres every day since January 1 this year to raise money for Dorothy House Hospice in Winsley.
The hospice cared for his friend Jacob Nott, an ambulance technician, who died in September last year of a brain tumour, aged 35.
Mr Halls will start out from Trowbridge on Sunday and will cross the finish line at Dorothy House, having run a total of 1,825km.
He said: “In 2011 I had a cancer scare but luckily I was given the all clear but at the same time Jake was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
“He had a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Elsie (Rhymer-Nott), and she was able to spend the last few weeks with him at Dorothy House.
“I know if he could, Jake would want to say thank you for that, so I thought let’s raise some money for the hospice and do something in his memory.
“I have always dabbled in fitness but I have never been a runner. I wanted to do something that stands out and compels people to raise money.”
Mr Halls has not missed a day, running on a treadmill when the weather has been against him, and his challenge has taken him around the country, including London and Brighton.
He said: “I have seen a lot of friends around the country. If I am going to do a challenge I want to say thank you to the people who have supported me through it.
“Jake was just such a nice chap and he was loved by everyone.
“Not a bad word was ever said about him. He’s very much missed by everyone.
“One of the real highlights was when I was told Elsie wanted to run with me on Sunday. Her mum set up a just giving page and she has already raised £425.
“It has been a long haul and Sunday will have one of the hardest hills in Wiltshire (Winsley Hill) so I will try my hardest to run it all.”
Mr Halls has raised £1,427 so far. Donations toward his fundraising efforts can be given at www.justgiving. com/5keveryday
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