A HARDY bunch of firefighters ran 42 miles in a day to raise money for one of their colleagues who is battling cancer.

Firemen from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service took on a three pier challenge on Saturday to raise cash for Chris ‘Casper’ Mepham.

Mr Mepham, of Bohemia Road Community Fire Station in Hastings, was diagnosed with bowel cancer earlier this year following a routine colonoscopy.

But later scans revealed the disease had spread to the lymph nodes around the main artery from his heart.

Following referral to the Royal Marsden in London, it was then confirmed that Mr Mephan had two forms of aggressive cancer - one of which is so rare it only affects one per cent of those diagnosed with bowel cancer.

The six men, from fire stations in Hove and Hastings, set off on the run from Brighton Palace Pier to Eastbourne Pier and then Hastings Pier.

They have raised £2,650 of their £5,000 target so far.

However they are hoping to raise more for their friend and colleague.

Hove and Roedean station manager Doug Marshall said: “Chris is a popular and very well respected member of our service.

“He has shown his determination to fight back to health and we want to do what we can to help support him.

“His colleagues already donated time, skills and money to be able to make changes to their family home in true ‘DIY SOS’ style so Chris and his family can be comfortable while going through his gruelling treatment for cancer.”

Mr Mepham, who is only 37, has a daughter, Esmae, and has another child on the way.

So far, Mr Mepham has had two tumours removed, however his cancer has now spread. He has completed seven courses of chemotherapy but desperately needs further surgery which could lead to long-term remission.

If unsuccessful in being accepted by the NHS, the procedure could cost up to £100,000.

The East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has already raised more than £15,000 for Mr Mepham, but hopes to raise more to cover additional costs. It also hopes to donate funds to the Firefighters Charity, which works to support members of the fire and rescue service recover from physical or mental health concerns.