A man who pulled a sleigh 26 miles raising thousands of pounds for two Blackburn charities has paid tribute to his friend who died on the morning of the challenge. Bill Hodgson, director of Praetorian Security and Imtiaz Ali of ‘We Love Blackburn’, said they dedicated the Santa s Slog Fundraiser to Dave Purcell who passed away on the day. Bill received the devastating news on the morning of the Santa’s Slog Challenge but decided to carry on by pulling the sleigh, complete with Santa, from Fleetwood to Kirkham. Almost £60,000 was raised with two Blackburn Charities - Child Action Northwest and Secret Santa - each receiving £5,000.