Wexford runner raises nearly €1,000 for Pieta

The 19-year-old runner described the the event as a challenge, given that each lap was approximately 270 metres, but he is not one to take the easy road.

"I love pushing myself to my limit and setting goals and so I made up that challenge to run 1000 laps around a football pitch," he said.

However, unfortunately due to sustaining an injury just past the half way point, Mr Czerpak regrettably had to tap out.

"I'm not gonna lie I am a little disappointed because I couldn't finish it as I got a bad injury half way through and on my 540th lap I called it a day after two hours of barely running afterwards," he added.

The fundraiser was organised on behalf of Pieta House, a charity that provides one-to-one therapeutic service for people in suicidal distress, those who engage in self-harm, and those bereaved by suicide. Pieta relies heavily on public donations, with fundraising making up over 80 per cent of its income.

"I'm raising money for Pieta and any donation will help make an impact. This cause means to much to me," he said.

"The reason I picked Pieta was because I used to have mental health issues as well before I found running. It is also a good charity that I had seen and heard a lot of over the last couple of years," he added.

Despite the setback, not only did he manage to run 162km over 21 hours, but he is well on his way to reaching the €1,000 goal thanks to the support of the community.

"The support I got was good, a lot of people donated for my fundraiser. I had a lot of people come to support me during my challenge and a couple of people even ran laps with me," he said.

He plans to give the full fundraiser another go later in the year and hopes to raise money for the important cause once again.