A MAN RUNNING since 3pm yesterday afternoon is fighting through injury to complete his goal of running for 24 hours straight through nine Irish towns.

Stephen Reburn kicked off his journey yesterday in Nobber, Meath, just as most families were sitting down to their Christmas dinners.

Reburn is being affectionately referred to as Ireland’s own Forrest Gump by friends on social media. He is running through the festive period to raise money for mental health charity Pieta House.

Reburn had seamlessly jogged through six towns when he injured himself. However, he has not stopped and, despite being behind schedule, has said he is determined to finish what he has started.

Reburn received support from friends and family as he made the slog through towns and villages through the night.

He is now hoping to get to the finish line in Ardee, Louth, slightly behind schedule.

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Before he started on his journey, Reburn said he was doing the run to raise money and awareness of Pieta House.

He said: “Christmas is normally a worrying and hard time of the year, but for people who are affected by suicide or contemplating it, it sometimes seems impossible. So it is my aim to help remember the person that is absent from the Christmas dinner table for whatever reason.”

You can donate to the cause here.