A 14-year-old has raised an astonishing £17,000 towards Rebecca House Isle of Man through a series of gruelling walks.

Jake Hodgson, a Ballakermeen High School pupil, presented a cheque for £17,180 to the charity this month following challenging walks around the island and a 200mile hike across the width of England.

Jake, from Douglas, said it was ’quite surprising’ seeing the total amount raised through efforts by himself and his team of supporters who walked with him.

’It made me happy that I could donate that much,’ he told the Manx Independent.

He and members of the team walked the Raad Ny Foillan coastal path around the island last year and this year they completed the Millennium Way.

He also took on an arduous trek from St Bees Head in Cumbria to Robin Hood Bay in Whitby.

For every 10 miles Jake and the team walked on English soil, they left a Manx flag and a rock with a message encouraging passersby to post a photo to his 200- mile walk Facebook page.

It received a good response with people sending in their snaps of the Manx flag with positive comments and some donating towards the cause.

The young ambassador for Rebecca House added that while there was some pain along the journey, it was worth all the blisters.

’Once it’s done it’s done,’ he said.

’I absolutely loved all of it. I love the challenge and it’s quite relaxing talking to people and having long chats. You don’t realise how fast the miles go by when you do it.’

He was accompanied by friends and family, including mum Lisa, dad Craig, younger sister Carys, Kath Blonden, Robbie Collister, Danny Ward, Rachel Kelly, David Doyle and others.

He thanks everyone who donated towards the challenges and thanked sponsors Splinters DIY, Manx Telecom, Microgaming, Steam Packet and 4Hire.

Jake told the Manx Independent that he would like to take on other challenges for charity in the future.