A young man is fundraising for the Woodland Trust by running 2,020km before the end of the year.

Rhodes Brown has so far completed 1,976km which took 159 hours in total, in spite of injuring cartilage in one knee with 250km to go.

He will complete the remaining distance at a special event at the Secret Pizza Company in Castletown, on December 24 from 4pm, while wearing a Christmas tree costume.

Rhodes said that he’s been grateful for the support he’s received so far: ’I have received £1,405 to my fundraising page and £100 direct to the Woodland Trust. My goal at the start of the year was to get to £2,020, so I’m £515 off my target.’

He said: ’I strongly believe the Woodland Trust will be one of the most important charities over the next few years in promoting environmental changes, contributing to the overall tree planting schemes and other necessary changes required to move to a carbon neutral island.’

Rhodes said he was never athletic before his run.

He added: ’It was a very ambitious target, but the fundraising has pushed me through.’

’I certainly won’t be doing this quantity of running next year, but I’m definitely going to keep my fitness up.’

Rhodes’ fundraising page can be found on www.justgiving.com.