NEWSREADER Roger Johnson took to the treadmill to help staff and volunteers from Willowbrook Hospice run 874 miles - the distance from Land's End to John o' Groats.

The Treadmill Challenge ended with last a 5k Park Run in Victoria Park, and was held to help raise money to support ‘The Willows’, a child bereavement project based at The Living Well.

North West Tonight presenter Roger, a patron of the hospice helped with the seven-day effort

Dr Paula Powell, clinical lead and specialist palliative care consultant at Willowbrook, said: “Family bereavement can have a profound impact on children. Many find it difficult to understand what’s happened which can often lead to their feelings being ‘bottled up’ or coming out in different ways such as anger or frustration.

“Last year, we were luckily enough to receive a grant to help set up ‘The Willows’ and even though the project has only been up and running for a few months, we can really see how it’s beginning to benefit the children involved.

“Unfortunately, the grant won’t last for ever, so we decided to challenge ourselves to the 874 mile trek to help raise the money to sustain the service.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received and the number of people who have taken part.”

  •  For more information on how you can support Willowbrook Hospice, please visit willowbrook.org.uk or ring 01744 45798.