Twenty-one-year-old Samuel Attwell has completed an extraordinary 10-day run from the very top to the bottom of Ireland, becoming possibly the youngest person to achieve the feat, while raising more than £50,000 for Warwick children’s charity Molly Ollys, with donations still continuing to climb.

In a feat attempted by very few solo runners, Samuel, from Redditch, spent ten consecutive days covering vast stretches of rural Ireland, battling harsh weather, fatigue, and unforgiving terrain - for 350 miles!

Setting off from Malin Head in County Donegal, he ran to Mizen Head in County Cork, covering hundreds of miles through Donegal, Derry, Leitrim, Longford, Offaly, Tipperary, Limerick and Cork. Along the way he was met with incredible support from local communities, helping push fundraising beyond his original £50,000 target.

Samuel undertook the challenge in support of Molly Ollys, a Warwick-based charity that also delivers vital support across Ireland, including providing its Olly The Brave books to Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin and the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, alongside granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.

Samuel is also an ambassador for the charity, which provides vital emotional support to seriously ill children and their families.

His determination is deeply rooted in his own personal loss. Having lost his grandmother to cancer, and then, devastatingly, his best friend who passed away at just 18 years old, these experiences ignited a drive in him that goes far beyond sport.

Funds raised from the challenge could help grant up to 100 wishes for seriously ill children, as well as provide vital comfort and support to families during incredibly tough times.

While the challenge is complete, donations remain open, with additional funds helping Molly Ollys continue its vital work supporting children and families across the UK and Ireland.

Molly Ollys was established in 2011 by Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw, from Warwick, following the death of their eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.

The charity works to support children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families and help with their emotional wellbeing. As well as providing wishes, they donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

The therapeutic toy lion called Olly The Brave has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly The Brave pack that has now been handed out to more than 70 hospitals or health centres, along with a set of books from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series.

You can donate via the website here.