A PE teacher who never shies away from a challenge has put some serious miles on clock and gone through seven pairs of trainers after being tasked with running 2,015 miles in 2015.

Mike James, from the Thomas Aveling School, Rochester, began the challenge in January after seeing it publicised on Twitter to run a mile for every year since the start of the Gregorian calendar - marking the birth of Jesus Christ.

In charge of Achilles House at the Arethusa Road school, Mr James’ pupils chose the Wisdom Hospice as their House charity and so far he has raised £445 - well over his initial £300 target.

Over the past 12 months he has averaged 40 miles of running a week, at just under seven hours.

He has burned 245,500 calories so far, that is equivalent to 944 Mars bars.

Mr James even continued his runs while on holiday during the summer with his family in Milford on Sea, and continues to run most days with either very early starts or late night runs after work.

The 36-year-old said: “I love being in the outdoors and don’t mind the rain, which is a good job because many of my runs have been in bad weather.

"I love being in the outdoors and don’t mind the rain, which is a good job because many of my runs have been in bad weather" - Mike James

“It all started as a bit of a fun thing but then a few people mentioned doing it for charity.

“I’m hoping to reach £500 now, that would be fantastic.”

In May 2014 Mr James has a knee operation after a football injury but despite a bit of stiffness, carried on with his runs.

Previously Mr James has completed charity runs for breast cancer charities.

He has also set his sights on completing the London Marathon in the years ahead, as well as aspiring to enter the Marathon Des Sables, an ultra-marathon held in the Moroccan desert.

If you would like to support the Wisdom Hospice and sponsor Mr James, visit www.justgiving.com/Mike-James4.