A FATHER who is taking on five "fierce" challenges for charity is currently part-way through his toughest task of all.

Paul Carruthers has already completed two of his five challenges — swimming 1,000 lengths of a swimming pool and completing a one-mile swim of Lake Windermere.

But now the Horwich dad is taking part in what he has previously described as “an absolute monster” of a task.

Along with his friend, Adrian Massey, the dad-of-one is aiming to complete a three-day, coast-to-coast cycle of more than 160 miles from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire — before turning round the following day and running the entire route back.

The two are hoping to complete the running section of the challenge in a further five days — the equivalent of a marathon per day.

On completing the mammoth endurance feat, he will have just under a month to recover before tackling the 12-mile long military obstacle course Tough Mudder.

His fifth and final challenge will come in the form of the 13-mile Great North Run on September 7.

The 32-year-old is raising money for different charities with each challenge and funds gained from the coast-to-coast effort will go towards The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Shropshire, which he says was “instrumental” in saving his father’s life.

He added: “Last year was a very difficult time for my dad and our family after he discovered he had cancer and a tumour the size of a rugby ball had grown under his right hip.

"Unfortunately the amputation of his right leg and part of his hip was the only option available to give my dad the chance of a full life.

“The operation was life-threatening but was a complete success thanks to the incredible care and professionalism of every member of staff — our family owes so much thanks to the RJAH.”

If you would like to sponsor Mr Carruthers during his latest challenge go to his JustGiving page.