A fundraiser has completed a gruelling challenge by walking four miles every four hours over 48 hours – one year on from his father’s death. 

Nigel Wright took on the David Goggins 4x4x48 challenge to help raise funds for Ashgate Hospice in memory of his dad Pete Wright. 

The North Derbyshire charity cared for Pete at the end of his life after he was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer, which spread to other areas of his body, just 16 weeks before. 

The 49-year-old engineer, from Clay Cross, previously conquered the challenge last year and told himself “never again” after crossing the finish lane.  

But Nigel was inspired to lace up his walking boots again after the “second-to-none” care his dad received at home and at Ashgate’s Inpatient Unit, before his death on 4 September, aged 81. 

He said: “When Dad was diagnosed last year – he’d just turned 81 – we were put in touch with the hospice who initially cared for him at home. 

“The nurses helped my dad be as comfortable for as long as possible, which was a great help as was able to remain at home for as long as possible. 

“When the time came he was admitted to the hospice’s Inpatient Unit where the care was just second-to-none.  

“He was made very comfortable and we were kept fully informed as to what was happening, especially during his final hours.” 

The 4x4x48 challenge was the brainchild of ultra-endurance athlete David Goggins and athletes across the world officially took part in the challenge in March. 

Nigel was forced to rearrange his challenge for September due to an injury, but he insisted taking on the feat one year after his dad died motivated him further. 

He has been hoping the challenge will help raise £250 towards the hospice’s care for families like his in the future.  

Nigel added: “My body is in absolute bits, but the sense of achievement after completing the challenge was just amazing. 

“The heat made everything twice as difficult but my friend Julie came along to join me for six of the legs and her support really spurred me on.  

“Nothing I do will ever repay the hospice for what it did at the end of my dad’s life, but taking on this challenge and raising funds for them was the least I can do.” 

Ashgate Hospice must raise £9 million over and above NHS funding in order to fund its services for patients in their own homes and at its site in Old Brampton, Chesterfield.   

Rachel Broughton, Senior Corporate and Community Fundraiser at Ashgate Hospice, said: “We are so grateful for Nigel’s support and to hear his challenge was one year on since his dad died was very poignant. 

“The hospice relies on people like Nigel in helping us raise £9 million every year to help fund our care for patients and their families across North Derbyshire. 

“On behalf of everyone at the hospice, I would like to thank him so much for his support; I’m sure his dad would have been so proud!” 

Make a donation to Nigel’s JustGiving page and help Ashgate Hospice provide its care. Find out more about how you can fundraise for the charity.