A CWMBRAN man has taken part in a gruelling challenge to walk between every Premier League and Championship football ground in London, raising thousands of pounds towards a life-changing operation for his friend’s daughter.

Josh Hughes and 12 friends set out to walk almost 50 miles between the nine grounds on Saturday, raising more than £7,000 for three-year-old Ellie Collier.

Ellie, whose dad Gereint also took part in the walk, suffers from Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy, which makes walking and playing with her friends difficult.

Her family, along with charity Just4Children, are working to raise £65,000 and send her to America so she can have a Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) operation, which is not available on the NHS.

The band of friends set off from Selhurst Park, home of Crystal Palace, at 5.30am, walking to the headquarters of Chelsea, Fulham, Brentford, Queen’s Park Rangers, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur West Ham, and, finally, Charlton Athletic’s Valley ground, where they finished at 12.30am the next day.

Mr Hughes, an associate solicitor at legal firm Novum Law, raised £1,280, but said he was not prepared for how gruelling it would be.

“I keep fit and do a bit of running but this was totally different,” he said.

“It was totally hellish – the last 10 or five miles we were just limping.

“The route had been predicted at about 44 miles, but during the walk it became increasingly clear it was going to be more than that. It ended up being 49.5 miles.

“We started with 13 lads, but it took its toll and only four of us got to the end.”

Mr Hughes added: “Even though some of the boys weren’t able to make the full nine stadiums and 49.5 miles, everyone really pushed it to their limit, including vomiting, bruised ankles, and frayed tempers.

“Some of the boys even had to take Monday off work because they couldn’t walk and others were falling asleep at their desks.

“That said, I know they’d all do it again in a heartbeat if it would mean pushing the fundraising total up.”

Argus employee Rob Owen also took part in the challenge, raising £777.

He had to drop out at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium after 40 miles, but said he was proud to have taken part.

“I’m not ashamed because it was the hardest thing I have ever done but I am bitterly disappointed,” he said.

“But blisters, cramp and other injuries was too much in end.

“Thanks so much to everyone who sponsored us and I'm sorry I couldn't reach the finish line.

“I wasn't alone but huge respect for the few lads who have soldiered on.”

To sponsor the team visit justgiving.com/teams/MakingStrides4Ellie.