'He's phenomenal, I'm proud to call him a friend'

The 38-year old travelled to Scotland to start the challenge

A Cornish endurance runner is on a trek to run 450 miles (725km) and climb 10,000ft (3,500m) as part of the national three peaks challenge to raise money for a mental health charity.

Thomas Hine, 38, from Padstow, began the challenge from Scotland on Monday with an aim to conquer three of the UK's tallest peaks: Snowdon 1,085m (3,560ft), Scafell Pike 978m (3,210ft) and Ben Nevis 1,345m (4,415ft).

He has set himself the task of completing it in eight days to raise money for men's mental health charity Man Down Cornwall.

He said the charity's founder, Ross Jackson Hicks, had helped him out over the years, adding: "I thought the good thing to do was to try and raise some money for the charity".

A fundraiser has been set up for the challenge, with a target of £3,000.

Mr Hine said he reached the summit of Ben Nevis on Monday.

"I'm running to Scafell Pike in the lakes - the largest mountain in England," he said.

"Then, I'll run to Snowdonia, climbing Mount Snowdon, which is where I finish."

Mr Hine will complete the challenge on Mount Snowdon

Man Down UK is a non-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) founded in Cornwall, dedicated to supporting men with mental health challenges.

Founder Mr Hicks, who has known Mr Hine for more than 20 years, said he was "absolutely unreal".

"He represents everything that Man Down is about... resilience, mental strength, friendship, connection," Mr Hicks said.

"He's just a phenomenal individual and I'm very proud to call him a friend."