BBC Gladiator completes fundraiser in son's memory

Zack George and his wife Samantha completed a mile (1.6 km) of burpees every day for 13 days in memory of their son

A BBC Gladiators star has completed a 13-day sporting challenge to raise money for a new charity he and his wife launched following the death of their premature son.

Zack George, who appears on the show under the name Steel, and his wife Samantha decided to complete a mile (1.6 km) of burpees every day for 13 days, finishing on Saturday, to raise money for their charity, Leo and Friends, which was launched in memory of their son who died in April.

Leo was born at 23 weeks in March, and spent 13 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Leicester Royal Infirmary before he died.

After 10,500 burpees and more than £33,000 raised, Mr George said he was "very proud" to complete the challenge.

The challenge was completed at Loughborough University on Saturday

The 35-year-old, from Leicester, said the challenge had also raised money for the neonatal unit at the LRI.

Mr George said he was taking on the challenge because he wanted to "suffer for the duration [Leo] was suffering for".

The Gladiators star said tackling the burpees was "extremely painful" because he started the 13 days with a calf injury.

"I'm extremely tired and I need a big rest but very proud and very happy and I know Leo will be looking down from above," said Mr George.

Leo spent 13 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Leicester Royal Infirmary before he died

Mr George said he wanted to continue creating fundraising challenges in the future that are "bigger and better".

"Hopefully we'll raise as much money as possible every single year and really raise awareness of premature baby loss and try and encourage families to speak about it, talk to us about it," he said.

"I chose burpees because everyone knows how hard burpees are. Anyone could do a burpee. We're glad we chose it because it really put us in a lot of pain and a lot of struggle and that's why I wanted to do the challenge."

Dozens of people arrived to help Mr George complete the 13 day challenge

Mrs George said she was "so proud" of her husband.

"The last 13 days, we've had some times when loads of people have been here, we've had some quieter times when they've really had to dig deep," she said.

"I feel like we've created such a big amount of awareness and I feel like I've spoken to parents that have come down and they've gone through a similar journey and it's been so lovely chatting to them and understanding each other.

"I feel like we've really done Leo proud."

Tom Wilson, known as Hammer in Gladiators, joined Mr George on Saturday

Tom Wilson, who is known as Hammer in Gladiators, said it was "special" to finish the challenge with his on-screen colleague.

"I've not known Zack terribly long, but since I've known him, he has been a brother to me and to watch him do this and go through the struggle he's gone through in doing all these 30 miles, it's just outstanding," said Mr Wilson.

"He's not complained, he's just gone through it all with the massive amount of emotion on his shoulders.

"It just feels so special to be with him and I'm just so, so proud of him."