A KILWINNING man has set himself the mammoth task of running around the full Isle of Arran in only one day to raise funds for charity.

Graeme Johnston will be taking on the challenge next month in a fundraising effort for Arran Youth Foundations (AYF), a charity from the island which he leads.

Kicking off from AYF's youth cabins in Lamlash on the morning of May 19, award-winning youth worker Graeme will then circumnavigate the entire 56 miles of the island by foot.

He will finish his run at the centre that evening, cheered on by the young folk who attend their weekly Friday night youth club.

As well as travelling 90 kilometres, he will also achieve an elevation gain of 897m, or 2,943ft, making this his biggest run ever by some way.

Last year, the charity's youth work project manager raised funds by running the length of the River Ayr Way (over 40 miles) and taking part in the Goggins 4x4x48 challenge that involves running 48 miles over 48 hours by running four miles every four hours.

And though this will be an even sterner test, Graeme knows his motivation for running will be enough to see him through.

He commented: "Last year I did a couple of ultra marathons to raise funds for AYF and between them they brought in over £1,000.

"I really love long-distance running challenges anyway, so realising how much we could raise just by me putting my trainers on and doing mad things, my mind instantly went to a bigger and better challenge to raise even more funds.

"Once the thought of running round Arran occurred to me I knew I had to do it. It had always been on the bucket list and using it to hopefully raise thousands of pounds to benefit the young people of Arran is the perfect incentive."

And driving Graeme on even more is the outstanding support team he has behind him.

He continued: "The amazing thing about doing this is knowing the community of Arran will get behind us, like they always do.

"People on the island are always so generous, not only with their financial donations but with other types of support.

"We already have a film company making a short film about the challenge, a local hotel providing a big pizza for once I cross the finish line, a mum who's going to print running shirts with our logos and a link to donate, and other parents who are willing to run or cycle some of it with me."

Anyone wishing to donate ahead of Graeme's efforts on Friday, May 19, can do so at justgiving.com/campaign/AYFRoundArran.