A CORPORAL based at MOD Corsham completed a gruelling 24-hour cycle last week in order to raise much-needed funds for children’s charity, the Jessie May Trust.

Corporal Chris Hardy covered 536 miles during the challenge on a static bike at the base last Tuesday but has since praised his peers for giving him vital support in the early hours.

“It is an amazing achievement but it was the early hours that killed me,” the 30-year-old admitted. “Between 3-6am was just gruelling and not something I would choose to do again but once I reached the 500-mile mark I felt a bit more like myself.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do anything without my support team and the volunteers from the charity though as they kept me going and I only walked away with a sore Achilles.”

Cpl Hardy ended up selecting the charity randomly after doing some research online about children’s charities online.

“I was on Google doing a bit of research and I came across them and they stood out as a really good organisation to get behind.

“So far the garrison as a whole have raised £500 with a bit more to come but we are hoping to boost this up to the £3,000 mark as we have a few more fundraising events over the next few weeks.”

The charity, which is based in Bristol, provides vital respite care to terminally ill children and their families.

Debbie Clark, of the Jessie May Trust, added: “Chris was incredible. He was very tired by the end but he managed to complete it by 10am.

“The money Chris has raised will help provide respite for a family.

“It could be as simple as one of the nurses going in and looking after the child for an evening while the parents enjoy a nice meal out or it could be for something like shopping, which we take for granted.”

For more information about the Jessie May Trust, visit www.jessiemay.org.uk.