A KICK boxer from Tavistock took part in a 24 hour 'kickathon' to raise money for two charities.

Emma Garrod (pictured), along with instructor Samantha Douce endured the marathon session at Master St James Black Belt Academy in Plymouth. They took turns to kick for the whole 24 hours in aid of Tavistock mental health charity Make A Difference and the Children's Chronic Arthritis Association.

The kickathon was proposed by Emma after she spent a placement at Trident House Tavistock, home of Make a Difference. Other members of the academy also took part kicking for between 15 minutes and three hours each to support Emma and Sam as they kicked through the day and night. Sandy Edney, who runs Make a Difference came along to support the girls.

Emma and Sam kicked for an hour at a time before handing over to the other one to continue the relay effect, both women kicked for 12 hours each in total.

Emma said: 'it was a gruelling 24 hours, demanding physical and mental dedication but we focused on why we were doing it and that helped us through.

'We both had very blistered feet by the end of it which are still recovering"