Thick mud and slippery walls were among the gruelling challenges faced by a man who was spurred into action by his partner’s illness.

Emmanuel Obasi, who lives in Beckton, took on the Total Warrior Challenge on Saturday to raise money for cancer research.

He wanted to take action for his partner, Ann Renwick, who was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago – but the race wasn’t easy.

“It was one of the toughest sporting events I have ever done,” admitted Emmanuel, who works for TNT Express in Barking.

“I got trapped in two different kinds of deep, thick mud, swam across four rivers, climbed several slippery high walls, as well as 24 other gruelling obstacles,” added the 54-year-old East Ham Conservatives leader

“It became overwhelming, but I knew I was not going to quit. I made a couple of friends and formed a team to push and pull each other out of difficult situations. We motivated each other until the end.”

The money raised will be split between Breast Cancer Care and Wooden Spoon. To donate, visit justgiving.com/emmanuel-finndoro-obasi1