A YOUNG man from Maybole has raised over £1,500 for Ayrshire Cancer Support by running 5km every single day in December after the charity supported his mum through her two and a half year battle with cancer.

Liam Callow, 20, pounded the streets of Maybole for 31 days straight to raise as much as he could for the charity which transported his mum, Lynne, to and from treatment in Glasgow after the family had no way of providing transport for her following the diagnosis.

He said he wanted to challenge himself and so interrupted his Christmas Day and Hogmanay celebrations to ensure he hit his 5km target – even going runs between shifts.

Liam, who works at Farmfoods in Ayr, said: “None of us could drive when my mum got diagnosed but Ayrshire Cancer Support took her to every appointment.

“She was worried about travelling to the Beatson every week at the start for consultations but their support was brilliant.

“The runs were tough and I didn’t think I could it initially but I went a few runs per week in November to test it out and thought I’d just go for it.

“When I first thought of the idea, I wasn’t working but then I got a job at the start of December. I’d already put the fundraising page up and people had sent money in so I couldn’t let them down.

“I think the thought of going a run is worse than actually doing it.

“When I finished work I could never be bothered doing much but I pulled myself together.

“My initial target was £500 so I can’t believe that I’ve raised over £1,500.”

Ayr Advertiser: Lynne received much support from the charity.Lynne received much support from the charity.

Liam is now hoping to make the run an annual event as a way of expressing his gratitude to the cause and all it does for cancer patients.

He continued: “I’m going to start doing it every year with the same target, or I might put the runs up to 10k a day, or even a marathon.

“It’s quite a lot of money per day that Ayrshire Cancer Support needs to operate so if I could help in any way then I’d be happy to.”

A spokesperson for Ayrshire Cancer Support said: “Huge thanks to Liam Callow who took it upon himself to go that extra mile and raise funds for Ayrshire Cancer Support. With the majority of Ayrshire Cancer Support’s 2020 fundraising events cancelled due to COVID-19 as well as planned events at the start of 2021, it’s had a devastating effect on our community income.

“We need people like Liam to help us raise urgently needed funds so that we can continue to help thousands of local people affected by cancer.”

If you’d like to order your FREE 24-page fundraising pack, contact 01563 475025 or fundraising@ayrshirecs.org and become a fundraising hero like Liam today.