HOW about this for going the extra mile?

A student travelled from New Zealand to complete his masters degree at the University of Brighton.

Simon Speight took on the 22,000 mile round trip four times – clocking up 88,000 miles to complete his degree in podiatry.

He spent thousands of pounds on the travel, which is equivalent to having gone around the circumference of the Earth more than three times.

The podiatrist wanted to study a course on how to offer services

to those suffering diabetes, but

could not find a specialist course nearer to home.

It took him nearly seven years to complete his part-time studies and he admits he has taken distance learning “to the extreme”.

But he said the key to continuing for so long has been “persistence”, even when things get tough.

He drew on advice from New Zealand broadcaster Sir Paul Holmes to keep on with his task.

He said: “Travelling such a great distance meant I really had to commit to this programme big time.

“Being the first person to have

this qualification was a huge motivation – no one has it in Australia or New Zealand.

“Furthermore, the hospital where I provide diabetes podiatry services was also expecting great things of me so I had to deliver.

“It certainly was a highly worthwhile exercise.”

Mr Speight qualified in podiatry in 1998 and opened his practice in 2002.

He does most of his work at a hospital on the North Island, where he treats a variety of foot disorders which stem from diabetes.

It includes the greatest fear held by diabetics’– foot amputation.

As part of a multidisciplinary team, he has been the lead podiatrist serving the remote region, with a large Maori population.

But he is the only podiatrist to serve the area, so he has to be flown in, or face a nine hour drive.

He said: “I felt the experience

in Brighton was overwhelmingly positive.

“I greatly enjoyed the culture of the University of Brighton, although the first week I was nervous due to

cultural differences, but these soon evaporated.”