REPUBLIC of Ireland international James McClean has completed a gruelling charity challenge in memory of a Derry football coach, who died suddenly aged 29.
The Stoke City winger ran 52 miles in just 48 hours in the Navy Seals-inspired challenge, with little rest and sleep.
For every mile he ran, he donated £10 in memory of Derry-based Trojans Football Club coach Thomas Burke, who died last month.
Mr Burke, who had played for a number of football teams, including Ballymena United, Derry City and Trojans, suffered a suspected heart attack at his Creggan home.
McClean embarked on the running challenge on Friday.
Funds raised will go towards the Trojans, where the father-of-two had been closely associated with - both as a youth player and most recently as an under age coach.
The money will pay for a new football kit for the popular coach's Under-5 team.
McClean explained why he had embarked on the challenge, which involved running four miles every four hours over 48 hours.
"Been training flat out like a madman pushing myself and testing myself since lockdown," he said.
"To be honest I was starting to lack motivation doing basically same stuff each day with basically no end goal in sight, then I saw this and thought it would motivate me . . it has."
He said, however, that he had struggled during his runs: "Not going to lie it was tough, running alone just you and your thoughts, midnight runs, getting up at 4am and again at 8am when your body is tired, legs are sore."
But he said he knew he had made a promise to Mr Burke's wife Bronagh and family.
"As it was getting tough, I thought you know what to be honest I was never quitting once I started, it's not me but to make certain I said finish this and donate to a worthy cause, so I said I'll donate £10 for every mile - 52 miles £520," he said.
"I couldn't think of a better stronger person at the minute than Bronagh Burke and her wains (sic) given...what they had to endure... So after speaking with her she came up with the brilliant idea of donating towards a new set of kits to Trojans U5s team... and I couldn't think of a better cause."
