A DORSET dad and self-confessed ‘non-runner’ has pledged to run 630 miles in memory of his best friend.

The challenge will see Stephen Collins run the length of the South West Coast Path over 14 consecutive days.

Starting in Minehead, Somerset and finishing in Poole, it is one of the UK’s longest and most arduous footpaths, with a total of 114,931ft of ascent – almost four times the height of Mount Everest.

But 31-year-old Stephen, who admits he could barely run 1km up until recently, is taking on the “insane” feat in honour of friend Phil who died in March from cancer of the oesophagus, a rare and often misdiagnosed cancer that Steve is hoping to help raise vital awareness of.

He will also be raising funds for the Dorset Cancer Centre at Poole Hospital and the St Peter and St James Hospice in Sussex, where Phil spent his last weeks.

Stephen said Phil’s diagnosis came at a poignant time as he had just become a new dad.

“Phil, my best friend, godfather to my twin daughters and best man at my wedding, had recently become a dad when he was diagnosed and was looking forward to moving into a new house with his young family,” he explained.

“The news was out of the blue and hit me for six. It was so hard watching him and his family go through hell. I felt helpless.

“Phil passed away exactly two years after his diagnosis, leaving behind his wife, two-and-a-half-year-old son and eight-month-old daughter.

“He’s left a big hole in the hearts of many people.”

Stephen, a former postman, became a full-time dad to his 10-month-old twins when his wife returned to work recently – but, rather than hindering his training regime, the twins have helped, putting Stephen through his paces when he takes them out in their double running buggy.

His coastal path challenge, called #RunningOnTheEdge, will take place in summer 2017 and will be the “hardest, most challenging thing I’ve endeavoured to do,” Stephen said.

Starting from scratch as a runner, he has been slowly building up his fitness through a series of half marathons, marathons, ultra-marathons, and 24 hour races across the UK in preparation for next year.

“I’m currently looking for sponsors to support this challenge and would love to hear from anyone that would be interested in helping,” Stephen added.

“I am determined to make this challenge a success and, in doing so, keep Phil’s spirit alive.”