A gardener will set out on a gruelling cross-country challenge in memory of friends and family.

Brett Saunders, from Heathfield, will run the equivalent of two marathons a day as he treks from John O’Groats to Land's End later this month.

The 31-year-old is doing the challenge in memory of his friend, Tom Sibree, who died in 2015 aged 26 after an epilepsy seizure, and his uncle, John Abbott, who died aged 62 following a heart attack in December last year.

The Argus: Brett RunningBrett Running (Image: British Heart Foundation)

Brett, who works as a landscape gardener, said: “I enjoy testing myself and seeing what my body can do. I’ve run an ultra-marathon in the past, but this will be like running one of those every day for two weeks.”

To complete the 805 mile distance, Brett will cover around 50 miles per day for around 12 to 14 hours, hoping to complete the route in just over two weeks.

The Argus: A sign at Land's EndA sign at Land's End (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

To prepare for the challenge – which will start on the 14th September - Brett has been doing six hour long training runs.

“My biggest concern during the run will be injury. It’s things like stress fractures and strains that worry me rather than the demands of being able to keep running for so many hours.

“When you run extremely long distances you also need to be very mentally prepared. You need to switch off your mind and forget about what you’re doing," he said.

The Argus: John O'GroatsJohn O'Groats (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Brett will be fundraising for the British Heart Foundation and the epilepsy charity SUDEP Action.

Brett said: “I’m not going to change the world, but what I am doing is putting my body on the line to support two very important charities. Whatever people are able to give will go towards research to make sure that other families don’t have to deal with the grief of losing a loved one.”

Helen Smith, fundraising manager for the British Heart Foundation, said: “I’d like to wish Brett the best of luck with this extraordinary challenge.

“Losing a friend or family member is always devastating, especially when it is so unexpected. Brett’s story is a powerful reminder that when lives are lost, they are not forgotten.”