A MAN has completed a gruelling seven marathons in seven days, to raise money for a foundation established in memory of his big brother.

Trainee teacher Jacques Bernard finished his epic 183-mile run at Bournemouth Pier on Saturday.

The 27-year-old started out from Wolverhampton Wanderers' Molineux Stadium the previous Sunday, as his brother, Steve Bernard, who died in a car crash in November 2005, was a huge Wolves fan.

Since the Steve Bernard Foundation was formed in February 2006, more than £390,000 has been raised for sporting projects across Bournemouth, Dorset and the south coast.

Jacques' latest effort is by far his most ambitious to date, and the Echo caught up with him has he neared the finishing line on Saturday afternoon.

He said: "It feels like crazy to finish, with six miles to go we went to Christchurch Football Club, and did a lap.

"I was led into the ground and got a standing ovation. It was really emotional as this was where my brother played football.

"Today has been great, I've had family and friends joining me along the way, from the very start."

Around 20 supporters ran with him during the final stages of his challenge.

Jacques has also been accompanied by his dad, Tony, and a physio, who took it in turns to cycle alongside him.

The effort has already raised more than £6,500, but Jacques is hoping to make more than £7,000.

He said: "It was amazing at Wolves' ground. They let us in, and do a lap around the pitch, then get pictures.

"I'm definitely looking forward to a rest now. I'm going to hang up my running shoes after today, for the foreseeable future at least, but then we'll see if anything else comes up."

The foundation, run entirely by volunteers, has offered guidance, financial support and predominantly equipment to a range of good causes ranging from supporting the AFC Bournemouth Ability Counts Team to potential Olympic athletes of the future, from providing new kit to local boxing clubs to funding outreach projects in Thailand, Uganda and Kenya.