A BANK manager from Leigh has overcome extreme exhaustion to complete a four-day mental and physical challenge and help to raise more than £315,000 for charity.

Private banking and advice manager Darren Williamson joined more than 60 Lloyds Banking Group colleagues in taking on the Fourtitude Challenge in aid of Mental Health UK.

It consists of a mental agility challenge to test your resolve, a 978-metre hike of Scafell Pike, 100 miles of cycling and a half marathon run finishing in Birmingham.

Darren, 46, said: “The Fourtitude Challenge was really tough.

“The individual elements were challenging enough but doing them one after the other over four days was truly exhausting.

“We bonded as a team during the challenge and our collective determination helped me through it.”

He was particularly motivated to complete the demanding challenge as he has family and friends who have experienced mental health problems.

Darren signed up in honour of them.

Having previously taken part in charity challenges with Lloyds Banking Group, Darren was a key member of his team and used his experience as a runner and cyclist to help himself and his colleagues complete the four-day test.

The total raised for Mental Health UK was £317,097, with the target having been £250,000.

Darren added: “Having seen family and friends experience mental health problems I wanted to be able to show my support.

“I am thrilled we have raised so much for Mental Health UK and I hope this challenge inspires more people to get involved and help raise money for this important cause.”

The challenge is named Fourtitude to reflect that one in four people experience mental health problems and that participants in the four-day test are split into four teams, representing each of the UK’s home nations.

Fiona Cannon, group director, responsible business and inclusion at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “This is certainly one of the toughest challenges we have set up for our colleagues.

“We could not be prouder of everyone involved and it is fantastic that we have exceeded the original fundraising target.”

Lloyds Banking Group has a two-year charity partnership with Mental Health UK aiming to promote awareness of the link between mental health and money problems.

Brian Dow, managing director of Mental Health UK, said: “Fortitude was an incredibly tough challenge.

“I congratulate them all on managing to complete it and for pushing themselves so hard.”