Skateboarders complete Amsterdam charity challenge

Two lifelong friends have skateboarded 310 miles (500km) from the UK to the Netherlands for a charity fundraising challenge.

Charlie Hutchings-Sait and Dan Lee set off from central London on Friday, travelled through Kent, northern France and Belgium, before reaching Amsterdam on Saturday.

The pair, from New Milton, Hampshire and Southbourne have raised more than £3,000 for the Alzheimer's Society, Macmillan Cancer Support and road safety charity Brake.

Lee said they were "emotional, tired and achy" after the week-long effort.

Now both aged 30, the pair have known each other since the age of two and run their own marine components manufacturing business in Sway, Hampshire.

As part of their Pushing for Purpose challenge, they clocked up 30 to 35 miles a day, camping each night on their route.

Lee said: "We're extremely emotional, tired and achy but overall very happy with ourselves and what we have achieved."

The friends have been skateboarding since the age of eight.

Speaking last week in Belgium at the half-way point in the challenge, Hutchings-Sait admitted "Our bodies are aching" after five days of constant pushing.

"It's more akin to running and we're doing more than a marathon each day.

"It certainly takes its toll but it's a small price to pay. We wanted to help those charities who have touched people close to us and help people's quality of life.

The pair admitted being on the "flat and smooth" cycle path surfaces in France and Belgium were a lot easier than the "difficult terrain" of the North Downs in Kent.

"We've met some great people," said Hutchings-Sait. "Some are a bit shocked and we've got some funny looks."