WITH the heat of the sun baring down on him, a fundraiser managed to complete a 75-mile trek for charity and has now revealed his identity.

The once-mystery man, known only as Flame, ran from Bristol Uniforms Ltd, in Bristol, to the finish line at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s headquarters in Eastleigh to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Flame’s identity has been concealed for the last three years of 20 fundraising challenges while raising more than £5,000 for the charity, but the fundraiser has how revealed himself to be 51-year-old Kevin Biles.

Kevin, who has worked for the charity based in Basing View for more than 10 years, even managed to keep his identity a secret from a number of his colleagues as he took part in his challenges.

He said: “The Flame Challenge over the last three years has been a team effort driven by a support team from work and also, just recently from Basingstoke fire station who helped keep my identity secret and helped with collections. Most of all I have to thank my wife and three children who have helped with the fundraising.”

In preparing for his challenges, Kevin used the streets of Basingstoke and surrounding villages of Ellisfield and Cliddesden, dressed in the firefighter kit, and he says he has been met with amazing encouragement from residents.

The Fire Fighters Charity is celebrating its 75th anniversary and has set a #My75mile campaign over this year for supporters to get involved with.

Kevin’s 75 mile run had a support crew of his best friend Richard Bennett and dad Brian Biles. They were joined by family, friends and a support team for the final stretch to Eastleigh.

Kevin added: “There are so many amazing charities and I work for one of them, in The Fire Fighters Charity and I have seen the difference our charity makes to thousands of UK Fire and Rescue beneficiaries when they need our help and support. This is my way of trying to raise funds for a great charity where I work.”

Even though the challenge is over for Kevin / Flame you can still support the charity by visiting justgiving.com/Flame75 or my75miles.everydayhero.com/uk/TheFlame.