KILWINNING head teacher Susan Lauder and her son Murray walked 5km every day in February to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.

The Blacklands Primary head teacher was inspired to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer UK in memory of her mum, Anne, who passed away in September.

And it was her son Murray who suggested they do something in his grandma’s memory.

Many readers may remember Anne from Annick Primary where she was the school secretary for over 25 years.

It was when she retired that Anne took up running and was always active playing netball or out on the golf course.

And it was this passion for keeping busy and fit that inspired Susan and Murray.

The mum of three said: “Murray wanted to do something to remember his grandma and when we had a look at the different charities and came across Pancreatic Cancer UK who wanted people to walk or jog 28 miles during February and we both thought grandma would like that one so we signed up.”

The duo managed to smash their original fundraising target of £150 by raising £2,400 for the charity.

“I am so proud of Murray and even though the weather was tough at the start of the month and we had snow and some nights were hard going, we got through it together,” said Susan.

“And it was good fun, we smiled through it all.”

Their daily 5k run was also giving Whitehirst Park Primary pupil Murray’s step challenge an edge and twice he was named the North Ayrshire pupil who had walked the most during the Dream North Ayrshire challenge.

Pupils and schools were tasked with walking as much as they could for five weeks, competing for a place on the leader board.

Murray won two vouchers for his amazing step efforts but on both occasions Murray donated them to their fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer UK instead of spending them on himself.

Susan went on: “Pancreatic cancer is a terrible disease, my mum had a tough year but she had a good year too and from the moment she was diagnosed she was always our ray of sunshine and we miss her terribly but hope the money we have raised will help with ground breaking research into this terrible disease.

“Our good friends Kirsty and Bryn down south completed it too and we would keep each other motivated as the month went on and this was a great help.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported us along the way, from making donations on our JustGiving page to sending us messages of support, we are still amazed at how much we have raised for this amazing charity.”