SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Ned Kilner managed to hike 18 miles from Ruardean to Gloucester in one day to raise money for the homeless, despite being battered by torrential rain and sinking up to his knees in mud.

Ned's trek was inspired by meeting a homeless person in a sleeping bag when on a shopping trip to Gloucester.

The intrepid youngster set off from Ruardean at 7.30am, accompanied by his dad, Ffinlo, friend James Ashly, also seven, James' mum, Trudy and dog, Sunny.

"He arrived at the Gear Project's night shelter in Gloucester covered in mud at about 7.15pm in the evening," says Ffinlo.

"The weather was awful through the middle part of the day with driving rain turning the hills of the Forest edge into mudslides. We were chased by horses around Northwood Green and we had a cold lunch in a bus shelter with no seats before heading back out into the rain to Minsterworth.

"By the bridge at Over Ned had tears in his eyes from possible shin splints and the last two miles were pretty tough for him to be honest."

In total Ned has raised more than £1,300 for Gloucester's Gear Project which has an average of 20 people sleeping in it every night. He's hoping to top up the cash with a jumble sale and afternoon tea at Ruardean Village Hall on May 1. Offers of cakes or jumble would be really appreciated. Contact: [email protected]">[email protected]