A man has kicked off a fundraising challenge, aiming to walk 375km in a month to raise funds for close friends battling cancer.

Tollesbury resident Tarran ‘Tazz’ Leigh Townsend, 39, set up a GoFundMe page, and is running 10K every day, and half marathons every Sunday, for the month of October.

Tazz doesn't even like running but is desperate to support close pals James Greenwood and Sam Gilbert, who are both fighting cancer.

“They’re both going through an unimaginable battle and I needed to show my support in some way,” Tazz said.

“James is a former Royal Marine and he was diagnosed in June, and Sam is a father-of-two who is battling stage 4 bowel cancer that has spread to his liver and lymph nodes.

“Taking on a challenge like this, something that’s going to push both my mental and physical strength, is the only way I knew I could show them my support in their fight.”

Tarran is running 10km every day throughout OctoberTarran is running 10km every day throughout October (Image: Tarran Townsend) Tazz works as a personal trainer and works out often for his job and fitness, but running is something he "avoids at all costs".

“There wasn't any preparation to take on such a challenge,” he said.

“Rhe running has already taken its toll on my legs and is making work that little bit tougher.”

Tazz has completed fundraisers in the past, raising money for Annabelle’s Challenge and local charity Noah’s Rainbow in the past 14 months.

However, he has never taken on a fundraiser for something so close to home before.

Tarran is raising money to help two of his friends who are battling CancerTarran is raising money to help two of his friends who are battling Cancer (Image: Tarran Townsend) “This is the first challenge/fundraiser I've done for personal reasons,” Tazz said.

“Although the others were important to me, there's a lot more emotion going Into this.”

Despite being very early on in his challenge, Tazz has already raised £850 which, along with future donations, will be split equally between James and Sam.

“I feel very fortunate to have the ability to help these two gentlemen by helping raise funds to help towards medicine and treatment to prolong their lives,” he added.

For more information, visit gofundme.com.