Student set to run more than 500km in six days

A PhD student plans take on a "nuts challenge" to raise money for charity inspired by health challenges faced by his friend's mum.

Richard Stennett, who is also a teaching assistant at Loughborough University, intends to complete a 348-mile (560km) run to the top of the hills throughout the Peak District in six days to raise funds for Kidney Research UK.

The 30-year-old said he was doing the challenge in support of his friend Sam Viravong and Sam's mum Manoly who was awaiting her second kidney transplant.

As well as the distance, the challenge - set to kick off on 7 July - would also see Mr Stennett climb 4,300ft (1,300m).

Mr Stennett said: "It's unlike anything I've done before, I've done multi-day ultra endurance challenges before, but this is by far the biggest one I've ever done.

"I know it's going to be difficult, but I think it will be much more of a psychological challenge than a physical one."

He added that he came up with the idea of the challenge when he was having a "mental health dip" a few years ago and decided he needed a "project" to take on.

"I've always been a runner so I wanted to commit some time and effort to a running-related thing and came up with this idea. In the process, I thought 'this is a bit of a nuts challenge'."

Mr Stennett has decided to raise money for Kidney Research UK as his friend Sam's mum, Malony, has an autoimmune condition which meant she had a kidney transplant when the pair were teenagers.

Sam Viravong - who is planning on being a kidney donor - told the BBC it was "really heartwarming" that Richard has decided to fundraise for Kidney Research in the challenge.

He said: "It means the world, first off the basis that there was no expectation for anybody to do anything for me, my mum and our family.

"Especially something of this magnitude for him to want to dedicate it and raise money for Kidney Research UK, thinking of my mum's kidney disease and struggle at the moment."

"Who has a friend like that, it's hard to put it into words."

Lucy Sreeves, executive director of Kidney Research UK, said the challenge was "extraordinary" in scale.

"He's taking on this huge physical feat in support of a friend's family, and in doing so, he's helping to raise awareness of a disease that affects millions," she said.

"Kidney disease is often invisible, but its impact is devastating. We're incredibly grateful to Richard for shining a light on the need for research and for inspiring others to take action."

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.