A MAN who went on the run from Nelson as an 'escaped prisoner' to raise cash for charity has thanked all those who helped him on his trip.

Former cancer sufferer Desmond Hutchinson, 52, from Walverden, hitch-hiked to Filey, on the Yorkshire coast, during his 36-hour stint as a runaway.

While there, he met a policeman originally from Barnoldswick, who helped him arrange overnight accommodation and directed him along the coastal walk route to Scarborough.

Along the route Desmond collected more than £200 for Marie Curie Cancer Care, to add to the £50 sponsorship he collected in Nelson.

He now hopes to make the stunt an annual event and involve other fund-raisers.

Friendly drivers gave Desmond lifts to Ripon, York and Pickering on his way and he said today their generosity had boosted his faith in human beings.

He said: "It was brilliant that the police got involved to give me a proper escape and there were so many people along the route who couldn't do enough to help. All the people I met were really beautiful, arranging lifts and giving me food and drink when it was hot and shelter when it rained."

The married father of three has raised more than £15,000 for cancer charities over the years and is now disabled after being treated for throat cancer in 1996.

His previous stunts include bathing in baked beans and running the Dublin Dash dressed as Ozzie Osbourne. During the last three years Mr Hutchinson has been involved in setting up a Pendle support group for Marie Curie and now dedicates all of his fund-raising efforts to that charity.

He said: "My family think I'm completely nuts but they are used to me doing all kinds of crazy things to raise money."

For more information about Marie Curie Cancer Care support groups call 01772 749797.