Reece, 8, runs miles to help homeless over winter

Reece Massingham ran two kilometres every day for a month, raising more than £1,700 for the Wellspring

An eight-year-old boy who decided to help people who "don't have a nice warm home to live in" has completed a 38-mile running challenge.

Reece, from Stockport, ran two kilometres every day for a month and raised more than £1,700 for the Wellspring, a local homelessness charity.

He took on the challenge after seeing people without homes and deciding it was not fair. "I didn't want the people I saw on the floor to be homeless during the winter," he told BBC Manchester.

On the final day, he was cheered over the finish line by the Wellspring's staff and service users, who praised Reece's "determination and kindness".

Staff, supporters and service users waited at the Wellspring for Reece's final run of the challenge

Reece has so far raised more than £1,700 which the charity said will go towards hot meals, clean clothing, showers, health support, and one-to-one guidance for homeless people.

The eight-year-old said he felt "happy and proud" to have been able to fundraise, and said he had been supported by friends, family and his school.

"Some of my friends and family came running with me and donated - and my school put up a calendar for me in the classroom which I crossed off every day of the challenge," Reece said.

"After I did the last run I got star of the week at school - everybody clapped and said well done."

"Since my challenge someone else at my school is now collecting sleeping bags for the centre," he said.

Reece was supported by friends and family during the 31-day challenge

Reece had done very little running before October but after deciding he wanted to help people who "don't have a nice warm home to live in", he took up the challenge to raise money.

"We did a few park runs maybe a year or two ago now - Reece hadn't done any running since then, but he just picked it straight up," Reece's dad, Danny said.

"His personal best is now five minutes 30 seconds per kilometre, so that was at a similar pace to what I'd normally run."

But according to Reece, he is not quite a match for his dad yet.

"I can run faster than a couple of my friends but my Daddy can run faster than me," Reece said.

Despite this, Reece told BBC Manchester that he wants to do the challenge again next year.

Reece was cheered on at the finish line by staff, supporters and service users from the Wellspring

A charity spokesman said: "Reece's Run isn't just an incredible personal challenge – it's a lifeline for the people who rely on The Wellspring.

"Every pound raised goes directly into supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our community."

They said: "The Wellspring sees people at their lowest, and these services genuinely change lives.

"Reece's dedication shows what can happen when one person decides to make a difference.

"His run has not only raised essential funds, but also raised awareness and the Wellspring community is incredibly grateful."