A PORTHMADOG man with cystic fibrosis has completed a 165-mile charity trek to Cardiff.

Phil Gloster, 40, completed his ‘couch to clinic’ walk last Friday, trudging from his front room in Porthmadog all the way to his clinic in the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre at Llandough Hospital.

The 40-year-old even completed an extra mile on the clinic’s treadmill after arriving as he was determined to post a sub 10-minute mile.

Phil, who works as part of the warehouse team at ethical children’s merchandiser Babi Pur in Penrhyndeudraeth, suffers with cystic fibrosis himself, a condition in which the lungs and digestive system can become clogged with thick mucus.

It can cause problems with breathing and digestion from a young age. Over many years, the lungs become increasingly damaged and may eventually stop working properly.

All the money raised from Phil’s endeavours, currently sitting at around £4,250, will go towards the Better Life Appeal, a charity which assists Phil’s own clinic.

Phil admitted the walk had occasionally been “slow and uncomfortable, to painful” but he was delighted to conclude his journey.

He explained the thinking on running the additional mile to finish his trip.

“Before this trek I had set myself three goals: Finish at the clinic having walked all the way, cover a marathon distance on one of the days, and manage to cover a mile in under 10 minutes,” said Phil.

“I got close with a 10.38 on marathon day but I never actually managed it. Having finished the whole trek and in the midst of the team’s warmth I said to one of the clinic workers: ‘Anybody using the treadmill?’ As you’d expect he looked at me like I was mental!

“After putting the treadmill on, most of the team popped heads round the corner to see what the crazy ginger man was doing. I can’t blame them really.

"Safe to say I managed it – just – but it wasn’t long after leaving the unit I was zonked out on the floor!”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/­fundraising/phil-gloster.