A fitness fanatic from Lamberhurst is set to complete his '12 marathons of Christmas' challenge today.

Callum Cadney-Moon, 28, has raised nearly £11,000 this year for mental health charities by embarking on extreme tasks every month, from running for 24 hours, to a 50km obstacle race.

December's challenge was the most incredible yet: running 12 marathons in the same number of days, starting by getting up at 5am on Christmas Day and set to finish this afternoon, at a farm in Groombridge.

Callum, a self-employed personal trainer, said he wanted to show people "they are capable of so much more than they realise."

"12 marathons is ridiculous, but if you really want to do it, you can," he added.

Charities including Mind and The Ted Senior Foundation, which was set up in the memory of a young man who took his own life, are amongst the organisations which will benefit from Callum's epic effort, which he has called The One Life Project.

Callum, who attended Tunbridge Wells Boy's Grammar School and later Hugh Christie School, said: "Mental health is such a misunderstood subject. Particularly with Covid and lockdown, so many people are struggling. It's so tragic that people could get to the point of taking their own life."

"Everyone has their own battles, I have had my fair share of struggles."

As a school pupil, Callum was picked on and "massively overweight," he said, not finding sport until later on in life.

He said: "When I was younger I didn't even know mental health was a thing.

"When I was 13 I remember holding a knife to my own throat. I never actually considered going through with it or physical harm, but it was the first time those thoughts crossed my mind and you don't really have the support there.

"That was the start of me beginning to understand mental health."

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time or click here to visit the website.

Throughout his challenges, The thought of helping people and supportive messages have got him through the tough moments, he said, speaking while completing marathon number 11 yesterday.

The hardest challenge so far has been marathon number 10, he added.

"My body is slowly starting to go a little bit, my muscles are swelling up, my feet are very sore," he said.

To maintain his 12-day streak, Callum has been eating up to 6,000 calories a day, eating during his runs as well.

Throughout Callum's challenges, which also include 12,000 push-ups in one day and cycling from John O'Groats to Land's End, friends have joined him and cheered him on.

"When you're in these challenges you can prepare as much as you want mentally and physically but everyone inevitably has these days of not wanting to get out of bed, you don't want to do it, but you still have to get up and on with it. Having that team around you is so important," he said.

Having raised £10,741, Callum is nearly at his £12,000 goal.

He said: "It's absolutely amazing. When I set this all out at the beginning of the year I just made that number up, £12,000, saying I would be amazed if I got anywhere near that.

"I am very proud of myself to make it this far. The support and the messages and phone calls have really been quite amazing."

To support Callum, click here.