Man runs across Australia to help exploited children

A Bawtry man who ran 3,100 miles (5,000km) across Australia in support of a charity that fights the sexual exploitation of children has said it was a "phenomenal feeling" to complete the challenge.

Nathan Maufe finished the 86-day journey on Sunday, alongside three friends. He ran from Cape York on the northern coast to Wilsons Prom in the south.

The team took on the cross-continent challenge in support of Destiny Rescue, which works to save children from sexual exploitation and human trafficking, raising more than £150,000.

Maufe, 27, said: "You learn a lot about yourself and especially what you're capable of and the impact that you can have on the world around you."

Maufe responded to a social media call from Australia-based Griffin JD Hughes, also 27, who sparked the campaign.

They were joined by Flin Cobley, 22, and Chelsea Dyer, 32, also from Australia.

Maufe said crossing the finish line was an emotional moment after nearly three months on the road.

Running through the mountains on the final stretch, they were met by supporters playing music and cheering them on.

"We got chills all over our bodies," he said.

"We were getting all hyped up and we were so excited."

Maufe said the toughest point came on day 22, when exhaustion and the demands of the challenge caught up with him.

"The fatigue hit and I was hot and I was tired and I was in pain," he said.

"I remember just feeling so emotional and thinking about home."

Although the challenge involved encounters with wildlife, including poisonous snakes, Maufe said the greatest danger came from running alongside busy roads.

He said one of the most memorable stages came after weeks spent running along a single highway in Queensland.

Leaving behind the traffic and entering the mountains brought a sense of relief.

"It was just like this massive weight lifted off us," he said.

The challenge was far from glamorous away from the roads.

The runners slept in a pop-up caravan and he said aching muscles often prevented him from getting a full night's sleep.

"I never slept throughout the night," he said.

"I'm excited to have a fortnight to sleep, to be honest."

Maufe said learning more about the charity's work had strengthened his commitment throughout the challenge.

"To have such a positive impact on the lives of the children we'll never meet, but know that they will be positively impacted, is a phenomenal feeling," he said.

The team has raised more than £157,881 through the campaign, which Maufe said had already helped rescue 145 children.

He said he was "proud" of what had been achieved.

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