The Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA) have received a £500 boost thanks to one of Wharfedale Brewery’s shareholders this week, after Mark Selby ran the 35-mile length of “The Ales Way” from Hubberholme to Ilkley on Saturday.

Cheered on by members of the public, Mark, 52, of Burley-in-Wharfedale, called in at all 15 pubs along Wharfedale’s Ale Trail on Saturday whilst fellow shareholders collected donations.

As they left the George Inn at noon in wet conditions, Mark’s wife Karen acted as his pace-setter for the first 10 kilometres, whilst the brewery’s accountant Anthony Elston and his son Matthew cycled the route.

At one point, near Kilnsey, walkers were left bemused as the runner, kitted out in an Ales Way t-shirt waded across the River Wharfe to save a bit of time, before eventually finishing at The Flying Duck BrewPub in Ilkley around 9pm.

Mark said: “I received a great welcome at every pub from customers, bar staff and the brewery team. It was hard going at times, particularly the 16 kilometre stretch from Appletreewick to Addingham but I got to see some wonderful parts of the valley that I had never really noticed before and there was plenty of wildlife to keep me company.

“By the end of the trip, it was a real boost to be cheered into the Flying Duck and refresh myself with a pint of Wharfedale Blonde and a packet of pork scratchings.”

Chris Baker, spokesman for Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue said: “We would like to congratulate Mark on achieving his goal and for being such a good sport. We are very appreciative of Wharfedale Brewery and everyone at the various pubs on The Ales Way who supported him and thank them very much for all their efforts in raising funds for UWFRA.”

People wishing to sponsor Mark and boost funds for Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue can still make donations online at justgiving.com/thealesway.