Ryan Thomas is battling exhaustion amid his effort to raise awareness of male suicide.

Ryan Thomas's blisters (c) Instagram

Ryan Thomas's blisters (c) Instagram

The 34-year-old actor has spent the past three days trekking 78 miles across the country, and Ryan - whose feet are now covered in painful blisters - admits the challenge has been much tougher than he expected.

The former soap star - who is walking 10 marathons in 10 days to help raise awareness - told The Sun newspaper: "It's been tougher than I imagined. I'm exhausted, but I've got to keep focused."

Despite the pain he's feeling, Ryan is determined to press ahead with the challenge, as he ultimately seeks to raise as much as £50,000 for the Campaign Against Living Miserably.

He's currently en route to Manchester Cathedral, where he's due to arrive on May 19.

Ryan has also received support from Pussycat Dolls star Kimberly Wyatt and her husband, the actor's friend Max Rogers.

Ryan said: "It's been an incredible experience already and I'm so thankful to everyone who has turned out to support me along the way.

"Day three has been the best day so far with my friends coming out to support me, they've really lifted my spirits."

After day two of the challenge, Ryan admitted to being physically and mentally exhausted.

The actor - who previously played Jason Grimshaw in 'Coronation Street' - revealed he was struggling to cope withe demands, but he's still desperate to make it to Manchester next week.

He said: "I didn't even have the energy to celebrate day two. I was in so much pain, mentally and physically.

"I really did hit a wall in the last two hours and felt like it went on forever."