A FORMER Great Sankey High pupil, who was so upset he could not complete a marathon for charity he decided to walk to the cause's head office in London to apologise, has crossed the finish line and is now safely home again. 

Dave Long slept in cemeteries and bus shelters during the first couple of nights of his challenge to raise cash and awareness for the Alzheimer's Society after a football injury meant he had to pull out of the Brighton Marathon last month.

But as word spread of the 28-year-old's fundraiser friends and strangers offered him couches for the night and paid for bed and breakfasts as he walked eight to 12 hours each day to reach his destination from St Helens. 

Speaking the day before he crossed the finish line, Dave said he was delighted with the support he had received and was looking forward to a little party with staff at the charity who welcomed him on Thursday morning. 

Read more in next week's paper and to donate visit justgiving.com/doabit.