A CHARITY hero has reached his target of raising an incredible £250,000 since starting his fundraising journey 15 years ago ... and is showing no signs of slowing down. 

Lee Clark, a 42-year-old from Southend, has completed his challenge of raising a quarter of a million pounds for a number of charities across south Essex.

Echo: Lee ClarkLee Clark (Image: Lee Clark)

The dad-of-two daughters has been fundraising since 2007 and first decided to set this target after hosting a fancy dress day.

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Lee said he saw how much happiness it brought to colleagues and customers so has continued to fundraise ever since.

Over the weekend, Lee held an event at his football team’s ground, Norwich City, to give fans the chance to play on the pitch for charity.

He ended up raising £5,800 which finally took him over his £250,000 target.

Echo: Lee ClarkLee Clark (Image: Newsquest)

Lee said: “I just fell to the floor with happiness when I found out the total.

“I am now sitting at home with the biggest smile on my face.

“I still can’t believe I have raised £250,000. But it is everyone who supports me that has helped raised this.

“Over the years it has got bigger, and I just wanted to show my girls the right way to do things.

“The hardest part is the time you sacrifice away from your family. My family also sacrifice a lot of time for me as I am out and about fundraising and even join me on fundraisers too.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported me as without them this just wouldn’t be possible.”

Lee has taken on a number of different challenges over the years to raise money for a number of different causes.

Some examples included an annual sponsored silence for three months, running two London Marathon’s, and a Brighton Marathon, as well as the national three peaks, and Yorkshire three peaks and also sleeping rough on the streets with his daughters to name a few.

Along his fundraising journey, Lee has also set up a charity football team called The Farke Knight Rises in 2019, who now play a charity match once a month.

The dad’s next big challenge is in four months which will be climbing the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro.

He said: “My aim is to now try and raise £1 million before I have to leave this earth. It gives me a focus and allows me to continue to make a difference.

“Fundraising is the tip of the iceberg on the actual day of the event as everyone sees that, but it is before the event where all the hard work has taken place.

“But when some donates, likes, shares, or even just messages me, it makes everything all worthwhile.”

To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lee-clark59