Fairlie man Sandy Neillands is taking part in his biggest running challenge yet, and it involves an ice bath to prepare his body for running around ‘Scotland in miniature’.

Instead of the marathons which we are so familiar with, Sandy has chosen to run around the whole of the Isle of Arran - 55 miles - on the weekend of September 20 and 21 in memory of his uncle Willie Paterson, of Largs, who died of mouth cancer at the age of 94.

Sandy, who lives in Bay Street, told the ‘News’: “I have taken part in three Loch Ness marathons, and one in Toronto, four 10ks, and one half marathon, not forgetting two Glasgow-Edinburgh cycles, and I felt that I needed a new challenge.

"I have run for Cancer Research, Marie Curie, Ayrshire Hospice and Ayrshire Cancer Care, and in memory of my uncle, who was a great person to me, I have decided to run around the Isle of Arran.

“It is, undoubtedly, my biggest challenge to date, so I am going to raise funds for The Beatson Cancer Centre in Glasgow as they do such a good job, and it is a charity which is very important and close to many of our hearts.

" I decided that after seeing close family members and friends go through treatment at the Beatson, sadly not all survived, I would like to do some fundraising for them.” Sandy will be running south at Brodick, and running clockwise around the island, and plans to stay in the Auchrannie Hotel, where he will be having ten minute ice baths to wind down from his exertions each day.

He explained that it helps get rid of the lactic acid, and helps aid a quick recovery, before adding: “I will try and stay in for 10 minutes, if I can!” The local grandad, who is in his early 50s, and married to Shona, will also be joined by local policeman and friend Neil Mackinnon on his challenge, and Neil will be providing a one man support team on his bike during Sandy’s epic run.

The local businessman, who runs Four Seasons Garden Care, is upbeat about the challenge, and has been running up Fairlie Moor in preparation, and has already run around 700 miles this year alone.

And self motivation is not a problem for the running enthusiast, who has the following inspriational quote as a tattoo: “If it is to be, it is up to me!”.

To sponsor Sandy, go to www.justgiving.com/Sandy-Neillands Speaking on his justgiving page, Sandy said: “On my first day, I am hoping to get as far up the west coast as possible.

Day 2 will resume from the finish point from the previous day when, hopefully, the prevailing south westerly winds will give me a well earned boost towards Lochranza and the start of the dreaded but legendary four mile climb up and over Boguillie Hill which, once conquered, should lead me to a relatively flat but intensely challenging final eight mile from Sannox to Brodick.” The 55.5 miles route will be the culmination of nine months training in all weather conditions that only Scotland seems to provide, the total of which will add up to more than 700 training miles.