Waiter Mike Partridge went through a muddy "hell" to raise money for a charity close to his heart.

Mr Patridge, from Drayton near Abingdon, completed an adventure race called Hell Down South and raised £800 for the Oxford based international development charity Opportunity International, which tackles global poverty through micro finance.

He and three friends completed the run in one hour 45 minutes. After crossing the finishing line in the 11-mile race in Hampshire a mud-spattered Mr Partridge, 22, said, "I feel shattered, but what a buzz.

"I was competing with 2,000 others and the atmosphere was fantastic. At times you had to wade through waist high pools of mud."

When not out running, Mr Patridge is usually seen working at the charity Opportunity International or waiting tables at Le Bistro Celte in Abingdon.

Opportunity International is a charity which provides people in developing countries with small loans and business training, enabling them to build a sustainable business and work their way out of poverty.

By raising £800, Mr Partridge will enable Opportunity International to provide 10 loans to poor entrepreneurs, which will have the knock-on effect of taking approximately 130 people out of poverty.

He said: "My friends and family have been very generous in helping me raise over £800 but I am still hoping to reach my target of £1,000."

Meanwhile pupils and staff who took part in a hike earned £23,500 in sponsorship for three charities.

All proceeds from the 10-mile walk by Abingdon School pupils will be split between Agape, working with young people in Moldova, Helen and Douglas House respite homes in Oxford, and Landmine Disability Support.

Abingdon School has been working with Agape since 2000 and for the last three years sixth formers have helped run summer camps for poor children in Moldova.

Some of the money raised from the walk will go towards giving a group of deprived children a holiday in England next summer.

Helen and Douglas House offers respite and end-of-life care for children and young adults, as well as support for their families. Landmine Disability Support gives help to disabled people injured in conflict zones such as Cambodia.