Four friends born and bred in and around Epsom walked 50 long miles from London Victoria to Brighton Pier this month earning blisters, swollen knees and ankles, and more than £1,500 for a leading diabetes charity.

Stefan Rojas, Scott Bassett, Ashley Bassett and Adam Leander (pictured below), took on the hike between Friday, September 9 and Saturday, September 10.

Surrey Comet:

The group took on the challenge to raise awareness and money for Diabetes UK, a charity funding research into the disease, because Scott suffers from Type 1 diabetes in which a lack of insulin causes increased hunger and weight loss, amongst other symptoms. In more serious cases, it can lead to blurry vision, fatigue, and poor healing.

Despite ending the first day with blisters and aching knees, the four friends powered through to Brighton Pier by the Saturday evening.

Surrey Comet:

On his way to a doctor’s appointment, Mr Rojas, 33, from Kelvin Close, Chessington, told the Epsom Guardian: “I’m in bloody agony.

“My legs are shot to pieces. My knees and ankles are swollen to hell.

“I didn’t think it would be that hard. The second day was excruciating.”

Surrey Comet:

As of Tuesday, September 20, they had raised £1,785 for Diabetes UK through a crowdfunding page online and from donations collected on the road to Brighton.

Mr Rojas explained: “No one really talks to anyone in London, but as we got closer to Brighton, in the little towns, we found people were coming up and giving us donations. Sandwich shops were giving us free food as well.

“It is quite amazing. That made us feel really good.”

To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Ashley-Bassett