An Army veteran has completed a gruelling five marathons in five days in memory of two South Shields brothers.
Paul Ahmed, of South Shields, completed the mammoth task in honour of Charlie and Carter Cookson.
The 32-year-old was touched by the plight of Sarah and Chris Cookson who tragically lost their first son, Charlie, when he was just two, and their second son, Carter, died when he was just 25 days old.
Running 130 miles, Paul ran the Great North Run route every day, running from South Shields to the start line and back.
As the gruelling challenge took its toll, Paul said the Cookson family was always in his thoughts and inspired him to keep going.
Paul, who was a physical training instructor in the Royal Artillery, said: "It was really, really hard.
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"It is the hardest thing I have done - 100%.
"There were no toilets, no one handing out bottles of water, and no one on the sidelines cheering on like the Great North Run.
"It took on average between four and six hours because if you are going any faster you are not going to last the entire week. So you have to reserve it for the next day."
Paul raised more than £2,000 for the Charlie and Carter Cookson Foundation, which provides financial support to parents of seriously ill children with life-limiting conditions that require 24 hours nursing care or specialist facilities.
Sarah and Chris set up the charity after the death of Charlie, who suffered from an undiagnosed condition.
The couple suffered the heartache of losing Carter in January after he was born prematurely and pleas to find him a heart failed.
Paul, who now works as a personal trainer, said the work being done by the charity was incredible and having the support of the family made it worthwhile.
He said: "It is £2,000 for their charity and it could be me one day who needs that support.
"It was very emotional. I have never been in that situation myself and they have been amazing."
To donate to Paul's challenge, visit https://bit.ly/2F8FJ7c
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