A TRIO of friends completed an epic endurance challenge last weekend in memory of a Minehead man whose life was tragically cut short last year.

Pals Aidan Kerr, Bobby John and Callum Oswick ran a mammoth 90km to raise money for The Freddie Pring Memorial Fund, which helps support sport in West Somerset.

It is named after Minehead Barbarian Freddie Pring, who died following an accident resulting in a a severe head injury after he fell from a balcony in Magaluf in June 2019.

Keen rugby player Freddie was just 20 years old when he died on the holiday he had won after excelling in his job.

Aidan, Callum and Rob, who were friends of Freddie's, took on the challenge of running a route from Richard Huish College in Taunton, all the way to Minehead Rugby Club, via the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal and some of the steepest hills the Quantocks and Exmoor have to offer.

The trio completed the gruelling task in just over 13 hours, having set off at 5.30am and arriving at their destination shortly after 6.30pm.

Aidan Kerr said: "I think I speak on behalf of the three of us in saying that the event was one of the most difficult tests of our lives both physically and mentally but was equally one of the most rewarding experiences and has provided us with a sense of achievement like no other.

"A lot of people probably thought we were mad for taking on the challenge at such short notice, but we all knew that with the right mentality and support along the route that we would always finish – it was just a matter of when.

"We had friends, family and supporters of the fund running and cycling particular stretches of the route and that extra bit of support along with the thought of crossing the line into Minehead Rugby club gave us that extra bit of support we desperately needed when our legs were giving up on us in the last 20km or so – not to mention Heather dropping off supplies every so often to keep us fuelled."

Aidan said the trio it was all worth it when their phones began buzzing non-stop upon completed the task, as messages of congratulations flooded in from friends of Freddie and donations soared.

"That makes the pain in our legs and sheer fatigue all worthwhile!" Aidan added.

To donate visit gofundme.com/f/the-freddie-pring-memorial-fund.