AN AYR man who recently climbed the tallest peak in Scotland for charity has more than double his original target.

John Murasev climbed Ben Nevis on Saturday, August 12 to raise money for the Scottish SPCA with a target of £550 but has now reached an astonishing £2400.

John spoke to the Ayr Advertiser Series about his climb and why he chose to raise funds for the animal welfare charity.

He said: “The climb went well – we left around 8:20am and managed to get all the way up there and back by about 4:30pm.

“I am a wee bit sore in the legs mind you but it was a great walk – at the ground level the weather was really nice but on we got up to there, it got a wee bit cloudier and colder.

“It did become a bit strenuous. 

“It started off good down the lower end of the climb but the further up, it got hillier and steeper.

“The coming back down part,I would say was more difficult because of the muscle in your legs walking up and then you’ve got the momentum of coming down being easier.

“At the last count, I have raised around £2430. My initial target was £550, so it is amazing to get that as the total so far.

“The money will be going to the SSPCA and I will be presenting a cheque to them in Glasgow in the next couple of weeks.”

He added: “I chose the Scottish SPCA because animals have always been close to my heart and the thought of them being mistreated, abandoned and hurt is just awful.

“I wanted to do something to help them and stamp out people that do the horrible things and help the animals.

“My wife and I got our two dogs, King and Jasper, from the SSPCA at the Cardonald branch and the Milton branch outside Dumbarton.

“They are both lovely, faithful dogs.”

A spokesperson for the SSPCA, said: “By taking part in fundraising events like this, our supporters are helping us care for more unwanted, abandoned and neglected animals.

“By taking part in this trek to raise money for us, John will be helping save lives.”

If you would like to donate money to the SSPCA, you can visit John’s justgiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/John-Murasev