Emma KnightsDereham runner Perry Mann has certainly gone the extra mile to raise more than �1,500 in memory of a rising star of the Norfolk farming community. For over the weekend the 25-year-old completed the equivalent of four marathons in just over a day as he ran along the 105 miles of Norfolk coastline between the Lincolnshire and Suffolk borders.Emma Knights

Dereham runner Perry Mann has certainly gone the extra mile to raise more than �1,500 in memory of a rising star of the Norfolk farming community.

For over the weekend the 25-year-old completed the equivalent of four marathons in just over a day as he ran along the 105 miles of Norfolk coastline between the Lincolnshire and Suffolk borders.

Mr Mann set himself the challenge to raise funds for Lucie's Lifesaving Project - an initiative set up in tribute to Lucie Proctor, from Reymerston, who died in December 2008, aged 25.

The project has already bought a �14,000 cooling system for the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital's critical care unit to help control a person's body temperature, and it also hopes to sponsor first aid training for Young Farmers and highlight the need for defibrillators in public places.

Starting at Walpole Cross Keys at 7.30am on Saturday Mr Mann ran all day and all night until he reached Hopton at 11.45am on Sunday.

Speaking shortly after crossing the finish line, Mr Mann said: 'I feel absolutely fantastic and I know it has been worth all of the pain I went through on the run. All the blisters that I have got are worthwhile because it is for a greater good.

'I will be a bit sore for a few days but all the money I have raised will help people for a long time to come.'

He said the toughest part for him was at about 75 miles.

'It was about 3am and I was just mentally fatigued. We stopped at Walcott and I had something to eat and drink. My head was swimming and I rested for about 45 minutes and then carried on,' said Mr Mann, who works for Broadland Housing in Norwich.

The weather also added to the challenge with wind and heavy rain at Blakeney, but Mr Mann was rewarded with what he described as a 'spectacular sunrise' at West Somerton, and bright sunshine as he ran from Caister into Great Yarmouth.

'The highlight for me was the incredible support that I had all the way along the run,' he said.

'The number of people who turned up to run with me, cycle with me, drive with me, greet me at the check points and support me was unbelievable.'

Mr Mann is a member of North Elmham Young Farmers Club which plans to raise money for Lucie's Lifesaving Project throughout the year.

t So far Mr Mann has raised about �1,500. Anybody wishing to sponsor Mr Mann should call him on 07788 486035 or go to Perry's 100 Mile Coast Run on Facebook