Ex-footballer hopes Joe Thompson is 'proud' after he completes incredible 37-hour fitness challenge in honour of former team-mate who died aged 36 in April

As the self-doubt started to bleed into Simon Ramsden's thoughts, his legs like jelly, arms aching, tears rolling down his face, he just needed a reminder of why he was putting himself through all the pain.

'I had pictures of Joe all around the room,' Ramsden tells Mail Sport.

On June 27, the former Sunderland and Rochdale footballer started the hardest challenge of his life. For 37 hours straight, he completed back-to-back workout classes in honour of his ex-team-mate Joe Thompson, who sadly passed away following a third battle with cancer, back in April.

This was not Ramsden's first rodeo. He had previously completed a 25-hour challenge to raise funds for Thompson's cancer treatment while he was still fighting the illness; the 43-year-old is a crazy fitness challenge specialist.

However, nothing could prepare him for what he would face in those gruelling 37 hours.

He had to fight with every fibre of his being, both physically and mentally, to keep going. As time ticked by, he fell deeper into a pain cave that had him wondering whether the challenge was even feasible.

But whenever his thoughts turned negative, just one look up at his surroundings would sort him out.

'There was no way I wasn't going to do the 37,' Ramsden continues. 'There was a lot of pressure on me to fulfill that. It's alright me talking the talk, but if I drop out after 30, you look like a bit of a fool, don't you? So I knew I had to do it, I was just in the zone, completely in the zone.

'I had pictures of Joe all around the room. I had little things that people weren't aware of, in the toilets, there were quotes.

'Everywhere I went in between, like when I was grabbing a drink, there'd be a picture of Joe or quotes or motivational stuff, just because I knew it was going to get tough. Little things just to keep me going.

'And then my partner, a few pep talks. I remember my body was just broken at one point; I couldn't lift my arms above my head. I couldn't walk down the stairs. I was gone.

'She was there to try and pick me up because I was physically and mentally just broken. This was about six hours to go.'

Ramsden, who played alongside Thompson for three years at Rochdale, was not alone in this challenge. Each class he was joined by a new bunch of people eager to help the cause and raise money for Thompson's wife and two daughters.

Former Sunderland manager, Peter Reid, was one of hundreds to take part in the challenge alongside Ramsden, who can't quite believe just how many people supported the cause.

'I had like ex-team-mates coming from all over the country at different times, friends from people I've not seen for 20 years just rocking up, doing one class, two classes. It just shows how inspirational Joe was to so many people,' Ramsden adds.

'Now, a lot of the people in the room didn't even know Joe, didn't meet him, but they've seen his story. They've seen his kids, and they wanted to buy into it.

'But the people who did know him they've travelled. I had a friend come from Carlisle at one in the morning, just to say good luck. Then he ended up doing five in a row. I had a friend from Liverpool come up, just done one class, and drove home.

'Honestly, when I thought of this idea, I couldn't have ever imagined it would have gone as big, and that people would have supported it like they did. It's been incredible.'

Ramsden and Thompson grew incredibly close during their time together at Rochdale. Despite the now body transformation coach, who owns his own fitness company, leaving Rochdale in 2009, the pair stayed in touch and grew closer and closer as Thompson started his battle with Hodgkin lymphoma, which first started back in 2013.

The ex-defender was with the 'special man' every step of the way until he passed away earlier this year, and just wished that Thomspon was still around to watch the challenge with his family.

'I just wish he were here to witness it, his beautiful kids, and the milestones that they're going to be doing. Joe would have loved to have been a part of the weekend,' says the former Sunderland man.

'I'm really glad his brother came up to be a part of it. He came on the Saturday afternoon and joined in. That was lovely. And then, his wife and kids joined in.

 'I think Joe will be proud, and he knows how much he meant to me, and likewise, so many times when I've needed him in the past, he's been there for me.

'One of the songs that I picked, which you'll see in the video. The chorus is, 'I hope I'm making you proud.' I picked it for a reason.'

Overall, the series of workouts has raised over £9,500 for Thompson's family, which is over three times more than the target originally set. And still, the number continues to rise.

The truly inspiring work done by Ramsden after such a heartbreaking loss has left him feeling fulfilled. While it has been an incredibly difficult and emotional few months for him and those who knew Thompson, the challenge has allowed him to celebrate Thompson's life and the man that he was.

'There were times when it was extremely tough, but so rewarding, especially when Joe's wife and kids turned up, and different parts of the weekend. It was incredible.

'There's been a bond that's come out of tragedy here, how close the families have got. I would love her [Thompson's wife Chantelle] to come up and keep Joe's legacy going at my classes.

'I'd love to keep his logo on some of my stuff and just keep this, keep this going and keep the story going because I think anybody that was there this weekend, it's a weekend that we'll always cherish. It's something that I don't think anybody will ever forget.

'I hope his kids, especially, it lives long in their memory and they realise how much everyone thought of their dad because he was a special man.'