Corby friends walking, talking, caring, sharing, raising awareness and funds in 24hours

A Corby rugby coach will top off his month-long men's health fundraising efforts tomorrow (Sunday, November 29) that started with Movember by tackling a 60-mile 24-hour trek accompanied by a team mate.

Tom Cleary, first team coach at S&L Rugby Football Club will be completing his November-long fundraiser accompanied by first team capatain Connor Fleming as they take on the marathon hike.

Having already started his sponsored moustache growing, Tom decided take on a 60-mile a week challenge but not sastified with that, he and Connor will set off tomorrow and walk through the night to walk the final 60 miles and publicise #datewithamate.

Raising money for Corby Mind and The Northampton Saints Foundation, the pair will be joined on their socially distanced walk with friends willing to chat as they pound the pavements.

Tom, who works for Corby council as a Be Active Family Activator, said: "I was inspired to do something because gloabally one man commits suicide every minute of every day.

"The date with a mate idea is to get people talking. Try to break down barriers. It's ok to not be ok and speak about that."

"It's got people talking on social media and through phone calls. They have contacted me and joined me on my walks and we have talked - my mum, my girlfriend, the rugby lads and old school friends and some people who I haven't talked to for a couple of years.

"It has been fantastic and has already made a difference."

Tom, 33, has been fitting his walks around his job, not using any work-time steps count to his total instead choosing to get up at just after 4am for a pre-breakfast hike to reach his target of 2657miles.

It was on a walk with Connor, 28, when they walked futher than planned that the pair came up with the 60-mile challenge to support Corby Mind and The Northampton Saints Foundation - Connor works as Head of Community at Northampton Saints Rugby FC.

The duo will be cheered off from S&L's rugby ground wearing their distintive white polo shirts walking loops around the town breaking down the 60 miles into decreasing distances.

Tom said: "I have been walking and talking my way around Corby through November and I will be honest this has been tough at times.

"I've had blisters a plenty but we will look to finish this challenge for an amazing cause, whilst supporting two other amazing charities.

"I for one have needed help and support at various times in my life and when I have opened up, I have found that friends and family are there to help and also share what they have or are going through themselves."

To keep the friends focussed friends from different time zones will be phoning for a chat from across the globe including Brazil, New Zealand and Australia.

The pair have been supported by Posh Paddy's with a special #datewithamate prize when everyone who donates will have their name entered into a raffle to win a meal for two

People can share a photo of their 'date with a mate' on their FaceBook page and a winner will be chosen by Tom and Connor. .

Tom added: "Thank you so much to everyone for their donations and support so far. I would like to thank Northamptonshire T-Shirt Co for printing our shirt, Posh Paddy's and big thank you to all that walked with me, especially Callum Noble and Alexander Lazic."

You cab support Tom and Connor by clicking here to visit their fundraising page