A DAD-OF-THREE is set to take 100,000 steps – the equivalent of 50 miles – in just one day to help boost the coffers of the NSPCC.

Dan Humphries will be attempting to complete the 100k Fitbit steps on April 8 and is hoping to reach his £550 target for the NSPCC’s Speak Out, Stay Safe programme.

The NSPCC Speak Out Stay Safe Service he is raising the fund for aims to reach every primary school in the UK and ensure that children recognise abuse, understand how to protect themselves, and where to go for help if they need it.

Dan, 35, of Marks Tey, will need to set off on the challenge from home around 3am to try to complete it within 24 hours.

He can decide on the route he takes.

He added: "I have been doing practice runs around the Colchester area for the last two to three months.

"My plan is to run as much as I can to get my steps up as high as possible but if I need to walk I will."

Business analyst Dan will be supported by wife Gemma who will ensure he takes on board enough food and energy drinks.

He said: "I'm excited and looking forward to the challenge."

The dad to Liam, six, George, four, and Charlotte, 14 months, added: “As a parent of three young children I believe there is nothing more important than keeping them safe and protected.

"Sadly not all children in the UK are as lucky as others. I was amazed to read that a donation of just £4 to the NSPCC could pay for one child to speak to Childline. That amount is often less than the cost of an alcoholic drink or what we can spend on lunch.

“My personal target is to reach £550 which could cover the cost for the NSPCC Speak Out Stay Safe programme to visit one primary school.”

Sarah Laffling, NSPCC’s community fundraising manager for Essex, said: “Thanks to Dan we can raise vital funds to help protect vulnerable children and young people across Colchester and the UK.

“We couldn’t continue to provide our services, which are a lifeline to many children, without the support of people like Dan. We wish him the best of luck with his training and the day itself and would appeal to others to support him by donating.”

Those wanting to donate to Dan’s cause can do so via his just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/100kDay or sponsor him by

"JOGZ50" with an amount to 70070.

n Colchester NSPCC Business Group is celebrating ten years of fundraising for vulnerable children across Essex in 2017.

To honour this milestone, the group is planning an extravagant night for its flagship annual event, the Emerald Ball.

The event is to be held at the Stoke-By-Nayland Hotel and Spa on November 18 and will pay homage to the ten previous events and all of the group’s accomplishments.

The success of the group over the last decade has raised tens of thousands of pounds for pivotal child services across the county.

Katie Skingle, chairwoman of the NSPCC Business Group, called on all sponsors old and new to back the event in its tenth year.

She said: “I can’t believe it’s been ten years and we are going all out to arrange an event like never before to celebrate.

"We'd love to see some old supporters get in contact and bring the event full circle since its beginnings back in 2007. It has been a tremendous honour to run this wonderful event for a decade and raise money for such a worthy cause that we are immensely proud to support.”

Ball tickets cost £65 plus VAT. Email kate@katmarketing.co.uk

To join the Colchester NSPCC Business Group (CNBG) go to www.colchesternspccbusinessgroup.org.uk and register your interest or email contactus@katmarketing.co.uk