Other people suffer from cancer and leukaemia and I want to offer them some encouragement

Lloyd Scott

He has since completed runs across Death Valley and the Sahara Desert, expeditions to the North and South Pole and climbs of Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya and Mount Aconcagua in Argentina.

"I used to do some fundraising but really, my illness brought that part of me out," Mr Scott explained.

"And other people suffer from cancer and leukaemia and I want to offer them some encouragement in their own personal battle."

'Amazing response'

The former fireman and professional footballer said he was looking forward to reaching the halfway point - sometime on Tuesday.

Lloyd Scott used to play for Watford, Blackpool and Leyton Orient

Mr Scott, 40, said: "My shins are particularly painful, because the boots weigh 22lb each. My shoulders are a bit sore too, as the helmet is 40lb.

"I've got a couple of soldiers from the Royal Green Jackets here to help me out in case I topple over."

His wife Carole, twins Luke and Elliot, eight, and daughter Aimee, 13, are accompanying him in a mobile home, where he is spending the nights.

During the days drivers have been stopping their cars to give him money.

"The response has been amazing," he said. "People have been holding up the traffic, hooting their horns getting out of their cars and coming over to drop some cash in the bucket."

'Claustrophobic'

Mr Scott bought the 1940s diving suit for �2,500 and removed the glass to allow him to breathe.

He can only travel 400 metres at a time, before stopping for a breather.

"It's still pretty claustrophobic," he said. "And I reckon the smell inside here will be something else by the end of the week."

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