DAREDEVIL Jake the Juggler completed his 5km slackline charity challenge in a painful eight hours, raising nearly £2,000 to help orphans in Nicaragua.

Circus performer Jacob Hirsch-Holland, who sparked criticism last week for highlining over a hole left by a decommissioned gas holder, walked 5km on a slackline stretched for 50m between two trees.

The 25-year-old managed to raise more than £1,800 for a Performers Without Borders charity project in the Central American country, working to teach children in orphanages circus skills and performing arts.

Jake, who was crowned the first UK Slacklining champion last year, walked the 50m one inch-wide line – suspended 2m in the air – 100 times at Town Gardens in Old Town on Saturday.

“It took me all day and was pretty painful and physically demanding,” he said.

“With slacklining, the longer the line the harder it is to walk and all the pressure goes on your shoulders because you use them to balance.

“I had a lot of texts form my slackliner mates who said not many people could do it, but I said not many people would want to do it.

“A lot of them came down and in the end it was a really good response because about 20 to 30 people came to have a look in the Town Gardens.

“I’m doing it for the charity called Performers Without Borders, which is sending me and eight others to Nicaragua to teach circus skills to youngsters at orphanages.

“These are kids who have lost their parents or their parents cannot afford to support them and by teaching them circus skills they can learn and gain confidence.

“I haven’t counted all the cash and cheque donations yet but I managed to raise £900 online and also did a circus cabaret and few other events, so I’m on target.

“The money I’ve raised will mean we can leave some equipment out there for them to use after we’ve gone.”

Last Tuesday Jake and three friends, who go by the name of Team Land Pirates, were spotted by a resident at the gas holder site in Cobden Road, Ferndale, and ushered away the by police as they were just packing away at 8am.

To sponsor Jake visit www.uk.virginmoney giving.com/jacobhirschholland.