CHICKS charity staff and supporters from Devon and Cornwall joined more than 200 amateur runners for the last five mile stage of the Real Relay on Sunday, July 22 as it made its way from Tower Bridge to the Olympic Park.

The Real Relay has been on the run non stop, day and night, for 55 days since it started out from Land's End on May 28, 10 days after the official Olympic Torch Relay.

More than 2,000 runners from all across the UK signed up to take part in the relay, which has followed the Olympic Torch Relay route non stop, covering 7,377 miles on foot carrying a baton with GPS inside, allowing people to track their progress.

Endurancelife Director Andrew Barker, who conceived the idea of the Real Relay said: 'We watched the Olympic torch pass through out Devon village and as the torch bearer jumped in the van to drive on to the next destination, we looked at each other and thought, but what if the torch just kept on running? It was an awe-inspiring challenge and many said it simply couldn't be done, but the team at Kingsbridge based Endurancelife were determined to prove that the 8,000 mile journey could be done the real way - non-stop and on foot.'

Mark Dalton from Downgate, Cornwall, a Chicks supporter who carried the baton over the Tamar Bridge on day one, travelled to London with Chicks supporters to be there at the journeys end and was the lucky runner to carry the baton across the finish line.

Organiser Kate Treleaven said: 'The streets were parting for us - it was like Moses and the the Red Sea. It was very special, and the perfect way to cap off an eight week journey.'

Jo Smith Scott from Chicks charity said: 'Chicks is thrilled to have been part of the Real Relay which is such an exciting and inspiring challenge and we are very grateful to Endurancelife for supporting us. Not only has the Real Relay been raising much needed funds for CHICKS but it is also spreading the word across the UK about what we do to help disadvantaged children.'