An army veteran is set to run 60 miles in a day to raise money for a much-loved children’s hospice – and he even plans to be home in time for his dinner.

Stephen Nicholls, 37, will run from his home in Liverpool to the top of the 557 metre Pendle Hill and back to raise money for Derian House Children’s Hospice.

He will wave goodbye to his wife, Stephanie, and four-year-old daughter, Stevie, early on Tuesday, August 16, and will run more than 60 miles “as fast as he can”.

Stephen is no stranger to pushing himself to his limits, having served for seven years in the armed forces, including on frontline operations across Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

After leaving his military career behind Stephen began tackling long-distance challenges to test his fitness and improve his mental health.

With his latest endurance run - which is the equivalent of running two marathons back to back - with an extra seven-and-a-half miles tagged on the end - he hopes to raise as much money as possible for the children and families Derian House cares for.

Stephen, who now works as a team leader at Chorley-based engineering firm NIS, said: “Since my daughter was born all I’ve wanted is to save the world – as much as I can.

“After leaving the military I suffered badly with my mental health. I lost touch with my family, pushed everyone away.

"But with the support of my wife, I’ve become stronger and stronger. I’ve become me again.

“I’ve been mentally and physically challenged in my life, but one of my biggest tests was becoming a dad, being a supportive husband, and working on the battle in my own mind – reminding myself that I need to here for my family.

“After leaving the military I suffered badly with my mental health. I lost touch with my family, pushed everyone away.

"But with the support of my wife, I’ve become stronger and stronger. I’ve become me again.

“I’ve been mentally and physically challenged in my life, but one of my biggest tests was becoming a dad, being a supportive husband, and working on the battle in my own mind – reminding myself that I need to here for my family."

Stephen wants to support Derian House because of all the good they do for families. 

He said: “I want to help Derian House carry on doing all the good that they do for their families, because you never know when you’re going to need them.

“When my daughter was a baby we had to take her for visits to see a specialist at a children’s hospital – it makes you realise how fragile life is.

“We were mentally beaten up by it but we knew that if we had given up, it would have felt like we had given up on her.

“If I can keep going all the way to Pendle Hill and back, I hope I can encourage others to never give up when times are tough."

Stephen says the run isn't going to be easy but still hopes to complete it in 24 hours.

He said: “I am going to get the run done in 24 hours – I’m hoping to be back for my tea to be honest.

"I’ve got a dog to walk and a wife and daughter to get back for.

“It’s not going to be easy – I had a lot of injuries in my last challenge it can get very painful.

“But you know, I just keep on going. You’ve got to give others that glimmer of hope – things may get difficult but if you keep on going you might be able to give back something positive.

“If this challenge can raise money to help support the children at Derian House – that’s amazing. I’m doing it for them.”

Ann-Marie Fishwick, Community Fundraiser at Chorley-based Derian House, added: “We’re incredibly grateful to Stephen for supporting Derian – he is incredibly brave to run so far in such a short time!

“Stephen is inspirational. He has overcome so much yet continues to push himself to his limits to help others and show the world that you can stay positive even in the most difficult of times.

“We couldn’t do what we do without the dedication of our supporters, like Stephen, who put in their all to raise money for our 450 children and their families.”

Stephen has raised more than £1,000 for the challenge so far. You can donate via his JustGiving page.