Athlete Danielle Joyce is taking on one of her hardest challenges yet, to raise funds for a Scottish mental health charity in memory of her friend, journalist Jamie Shuttleworth, who recently passed away after battling with his own mental health.

Beginning at 12pm on Friday, Gold medalist swimmer Danii will attempt the daunting 4x4x48 challenge - running four miles every four hours for 48 hours.

Her aim is to raise funds for the Scottish Association for Mental Health that is currently looking into the impact the coronavirus has had on the nation's mental health and to raise further funding to support services they offer. 

Danii told the Times before setting off on her first run earlier: “You guys have supported me a lot throughout my swimming career and this is every bit just as important as winning medals for my country.

"I’m raising money for a mental health charity and for local boy Jamie Shuttleworth who took his own life recently after a battle with his mental health. We have lost one of our own to this horrible demon.

"I’ll be starting the challenge at 12pm today in the scorching heat, and running 4 miles every 4 hours for the next 48 hours. 

"Please if you have even just £1 donate to the link below- would really really really mean the world to me, the charity, and Jamie’s family."

People can donate by clicking on Danii's fundraising page and give what they can: Danii Joyce is fundraising for Scottish Association for Mental Health (justgiving.com)