A County Durham charity runner has issued a desperate plea for help days before he set to take on a 900-mile fundraising challenge which now "may not go ahead"

Matthew Smith, 29, who runs charity If U Care Share based in Chester-le-Street, is set to embark on a football-themed expedition across the UK in an effort to raise both funds and suicide awareness.

Starting in Bournemouth, he's set to run to every Premier League stadium over 25 days starting on Saturday (August 3).

However, Matthew has hit a barrier as he says sponsors who were supposed to help out with donations as well as covering costs have not come through.

In an emotional video posted on social media, Matthew said he has "nowhere to stay" during the run - and vital targets have not been reached.

"There were a couple of companies who said they would help but some of that just hasn't come to fruition," Matthew told The Northern Echo.

"We are around £20,000 out from where we expected to be at this point. I basically need £7,000 and help with places to stay along the way.

"We have had a great response from supporters but currently I'm leaving for Bournemouth on Saturday and I have nowhere to stay.

"We are just trying to reach out to anyone and everyone who can support us. Businesses, individuals... just to try and get us where we need to be before we start."

If U Care Share was established in 2005 by the family of Daniel O'Hare from Lumley, near Chester-le-Street who took his own life unexpectedly at the age of 19.

Daniel O'Hare, 19.Daniel O'Hare, 19. (Image: Contributor)

The charity supports people across the North East of England and offers services directly supporting suicide prevention, intervention and helping those impacted by suicide.

Daniel had no previous history of mental health problems nor had he shown any outward signs of his intention.

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He was a normal young man, who was extremely popular and well-known in his local community and had a large amount of friends and a family who loved him dearly.

His younger brothers Matthew and Ben, along with cousin Sarah (then aged 10, five and 12) set up the foundation because they wanted to do something positive and prevent another family suffering a similar experience, as well as creating a lasting memory to Daniel.

To find out more about how you can help the charity, click here.