The Showcasing Derby Walk was led by 74-year-old Sir Christopher Ball after he promised a year ago to take on the challenge and raise £2,012.
But on Saturday the former chancellor of the University of Derby achieved something much greater than his original goal by inspiring companion walkers to pledge thousands of pounds more.
The money is to be raised by the year 2012 and will be donated to Derby charities.
Sir Christopher's walk was organised by a team at Rolls-Royce as part of Derby City Partnership Week, which finished yesterday and had the theme "Be Inspiring".
He was joined by about 30 other walkers – some trekking the full 18 miles and others meeting him at Pride Park and walking the final 4.5 miles. During the walk Derby Cityscape gave participants a tour of new developments around the city.
As the team arrived at the university's Kedleston Road campus at 3pm, a celebration of Derby's talent kicked off with performances by 200 artists and entertainers.
Sir Christopher, who at the age of 72 became the oldest man to run the equivalent of 10 full marathons in 10 days, said it had been a "terrific day".
He said: "I am amazed that £40,000 has been pledged since the beginning of the walk. I am absolutely astonished by the generosity of Derby people."
Walker Mohammed Sharief, executive director of Normanton charity Jobs Education and Training, pledged to raise £20,012.
He said: "I was talking to Sir Christopher about fund-raising and thought we have three years to raise this money and so we could set a greater challenge.
"My focus is going to be on raising this money with the people of Normanton. I'm hoping a lot of people will take on this challenge.
"We should be able to inspire people to raise a lot of money, like the Derby Telegraph did with the Magic Million Appeal."
Helen Osler, of Duffield, has pledged to raise £2,012.
The 58-year-old said: "The walk was wonderful. It was very interesting talking to so many interesting people in the group. Christopher is a very inspiring person and he spoke to everybody in turn. I will have to think of a plan of how to raise the money I have pledged."
During the Derby City Partnership week, events including open days, tours, workshops, walks and concerts, were held to encourage people to do something inspirational to benefit their community.
The partnership has been running similar weeks on an annual basis since 1995.
Ross Watson, 24, one of 10 Rolls-Royce employees who organised Saturday's walk and university event, said: "I have met a lot of inspiring people over the last year, while organising this event."
Article Courtesy of Derby Evening Telegraph