Cricketer Monty Panesar was the star guest at a charity 'kickathon' at Dels Fitness Centre in Gravesend.

Fresh from his test match success in India, he joined 80 people for a kick-a-thon fundraiser for Ellenorlions Hospices, which involved trying to accumulate 10,000 kicks in three hours.

That goal was quickly smashed with 53,000 kicks in just two hours. The Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Lyn Milnercorr also joined in the fun and added five kicks to the charity total.

The centre in Queens Street does martial arts classes for children and adults and Danny Dhell, who helps to run the family business with his dad and brothers, said: “We feel it’s really important that kids around here have positive role models in their lives to help them grow up with good morals.

“What better way to help that than through charity. It was fantastic having Monty Panesar here, he really took the time to speak to all the kids.”

Over £500 was raised on the day, with much more pledged and expected to come in during the week.

See Thursday's Gravesend Messenger for more pictures.