A MILLPORT man ran 100 miles in a month to collect cash for a charity that saved his wife’s life.

Ruaridh McIntyre, 48, jogged 100 miles around the island during October to raise vital funds for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.

The service saved his wife Davina ten years ago after she was in seriously hurt in a horror car crash in Cambridge.

Ruaridh undertook the mammoth challenge to honour their work - and admits the end of the challenge was emotional.

He said: “The whole challenge went very well with no real issues, apart from the weather which was miserable the whole time.

“The sun came out as I finished my last lap around the island, which was a nice way to end.

“My wife Davina came to cheer me over the line and it was nice to see her there to round it all off.

“I must admit I got a little bit emotional because it was not an easy challenge and it was for a cause very close to my heart.”

Ruaridh says that running round Cumbrae was packed with challenges.

He explained: “When you look at it you’re think its going to be easy because it’s only three miles a day, but it doesn’t work out like that.

“You miss a day because it’s cold and wet, then you have to do more the next day. Before you know it you have a backlog of miles to catch up on.

“It’s a great place though for something like this as there is always something to see and there are landmarks along the way to break the run into phases.

“Trying to dodge the bus was always a fun game, and I had to time it right so that I could chase it into town rather than the other way around.”

Ruaridh says he is overwhelmed after reaching £750 in donations - and admits he is already eyeing another charity challenge.

He said: “To get £750 is just amazing considering my original target was only £150, so I am really blown away by the generosity of all my family and friends.

“It is all going towards a vital cause that has so much impact on the island and on us as a family too.

“I’m currently hatching a plot to do a 1,000 mile charity cycle around the island. Watch this space."

Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance has been called to the island 13 times in the last four years, including three visits so far in 2021.