A local Dad is currently undertaking the challenge of completing 40 ultramarathon distance runs on his treadmill in 40 days to raise money for charity.

Nathan Towers, who lives in Bulwell but did much of his training for the fundraiser in Hucknall, intends to split the money he raises equally between the Rainbows Children's Hospice and The British Red Cross.

Mr Towers was inspired to raise money for Rainbows following the traumatic birth of his son Jack, in November 2019.

Speaking to Hucknall Nub News, he said: "During the birth, basically his shoulders got stuck, he was without oxygen for like 11 minutes. This was a really traumatic birth; he was floppy on the table. I was left in a room on my own, there was blood everywhere. Basically, I was told we're taking care of your wife now, there's a chance your child might have brain damage.

"They had this new process where they cooled the child to fight off any chances of brain damage. He was kept in a cooling tank for three days. To cut a long story short, he survived and he's fine. We went through all the tests, he's a healthy and happy chappy but it still upsets me thinking about it."

Despite their happy ending Mr Towers, is well aware that "it's not the same outcome for everybody."

On his fundraising page, he wrote: "We have been extremely lucky but sadly many families are not so fortunate. For that reason, I have chosen Rainbows Children Hospice which provides support for hundreds of families every year with children and young people who have a life-limiting or life-threatening condition."

Although he started the challenge on Wednesday 9 February, he didn't set the fundraising page up straight away. By the time that he had, Russia had invaded Ukraine so Mr Towers felt compelled to ensure some of the money he raised went to the humanitarian effort currently underway to help the citizens of the war-torn nation, thus half of the money he raises will go to The British Red Cross.

This isn't the first time Mr Towers has been involved in fundraising having previously competed in marathons for charity as well as completing a host of challenges in one calendar year, around six years ago, which included walking the Jurassic coast and climbing Mont Blanc.

By his own admission, Mr Towers says that pushing his body to the limit takes his mind off any worries or issues he may have at that time.

"I wouldn't say I've got depression but I get down a lot and I find doing things like that, you're kind of on your own with your thoughts for a long period of time so it's a good way to de-stress, I think that's why I find it a bit addictive."

This has led him to decide to run an ultramarathon distance of 30 miles on the treadmill every day for 40 consecutive days. He picked 40, as this is the milestone birthday that he will celebrate next month.

Mr Towers has just over one week remaining of his challenge which will finish next Sunday (20 March) and after a difficult start he feels his body, to a large extent, has got used to the physicality of the challenge.

"I've been keeping a steady pace. First week I had a couple of blisters, and had new shoes, I had arch pain. I couldn't lift my foot up. I think it's really weird, after the first week your body thinks it's the norm and I'm worried now if I stop doing it my body's not going to be as fit as it is now, your body adapts, it seems normal to knock out 20 miles in one go or something. You get fitter day by day so that helps."

Anyone wanting to donate money to Mr Towers' cause can do so by clicking here.