A Bromley man has completed an extraordinary 500km charity run while grappling with the aftermath of a fire that destroyed his flat. Peter Debenham, 27, set out to raise money for the Chartwell Cancer Trust, overcoming both physical and emotional challenges along the way.

Initially, Peter planned to run a 10K for the charity in May 2024, but when the event was postponed to September, he decided to set himself a larger challenge: completing 500km over the summer. Despite underestimating the difficulty, Peter remained determined, running 10km every two days and even continuing while on holiday in San Francisco.

In late July, Peter faced a devastating setback. After returning to the UK, his flat was caught in a fire that began on a balcony above his unit. He was forced to evacuate, witnessing the panic and destruction firsthand. Twelve fire engines and 80 firefighters battled the blaze, which caused significant damage to the building.

Despite the trauma, Peter pushed forward with his challenge. Even though the fire was a tremendously stressful and damaging experience, I thought to myself that I couldn’t let it beat me,” he said. He completed the 500km run on August 30, raising £1,300 for the Chartwell Cancer Trust.

However, upon revisiting his flat, Peter discovered further damage caused by water from the fire above. He has since been displaced for up to six months while repairs are made.

Despite these hardships, Peter remains proud of his achievement. The one thing that kept me in good spirits is the fact that despite all this, I still managed to do the challenge and donate to charity,” he shared. The cause holds special meaning for Peter, as his grandmother passed away from cancer when he was young.

Peter’s determination in the face of adversity has inspired many, and his efforts have made a significant contribution to the local charity.