Cossington boy, 7, finishes 'mile-a-day' lockdown runs

Charlie was greeted at the finish line by Mr and Mrs Claus

A seven-year-old boy has completed a 325-mile lockdown running challenge that started around the time of the first national lockdown.

Charlie Slack, from Cossington in Leicestershire, decided to run at least a mile every day, beginning on 20 March.

The young runner has raised more than £4,000 for three children's charities.

He completed his challenge on Christmas Eve, with neighbours cheering him on for his final mile.

Charlie's mother Alex said her son had been inspired after going for a run when schools were closed on 20 March, saying he wanted to "do some good to help people".

"We came up with this challenge and it's just carried on," she said.

"He has been out whatever he's feeling, whatever the weather."

She said in the beginning he had been "very enthusiastic" and ran further than a mile some days, so he completed 325 miles by Christmas Eve.

Mrs Slack added it was "just lovely" their neighbours clapped for him on his final mile through the village.

"It's amazing how the whole community have come together and got behind him," she said.

Charlie Slack has run every day since around the time of the first national lockdown

Mrs Slack said Charlie had been seriously ill after contracting meningitis as a young baby which was why his charity fundraising meant so much.

"We so nearly lost him," she said.

"We are so lucky to have him. It is really nice to see him well and running.

"When he ran his 300th mile, his classmates all ran with him.

"Seeing him doing this, getting everyone involved and raising money, was just humbling and inspiring to see."

Finishing the challenge, Charlie said: "I'm going to have a lie-in on Christmas Day because I'm tired".

He has raised money for local charity Alex's Wish, Young Minds and Meningitis Now.

Tom Nutt, chief executive at Meningitis Now, said: "What a wonderfully uplifting achievement from a remarkable young boy. Thank you so much to Charlie and everyone who has supported him and the family on this challenge.

"Charlie's efforts will make a real difference to those who are at risk from meningitis and those whose lives have already been changed forever because of it."