A GROUP of Largs Academy teachers put their best foot forward to raise more than £3,500 for charity.

A team of 12 teachers from the school took on the Edinburgh Marathon as a relay team - with another tackling the full 26 miles by himself.

An online fundraising drive and a non-uniform day also helped to raise £3,560 for SAMH, a mental health charity which is dear to the school’s heart.

Teacher Mary Lunday completed the relay with Mr Doherty, Mr Cavani, Mr Wallace, Mr Atkinson, Miss Parnell, Mrs McNicol, Mrs Henderson, Dr Mitchell, Mr Wilson, Mr Murchie and Miss Murray.

Fitness fanatic design & technology teacher David Sinclair, inset, ran the whole marathon himself.

Mary says the marathon effort was a job well done.

She said: “The whole day was fantastic, with the sun shining and a very scenic route out past Portobello.

“Our three relay teams ran alongside David to keep him company and cheer him on during his solo effort.

“The training really forged a sense of camaraderie and we all decided on the day we would stick together.

“It was great for David to have people alongside him, even though each individual runner was just doing six or eight miles and then waving him on to the next group.”

Mary has hailed the town for its support after smashing their original target of £2,000.

She said: “We would like to says a massive thanks to everyone at Largs Academy, family, friends and the wider community.

“We had a fantastic response and the pupils kindly supported a non-uniform day to raise even more money.

“It feels like we are always asking for money and support, but the Largs community never fails to come up trumps.

“We are already planning our next fundraising adventure which will be either a half marathon or possibly a 10k in October with the same group - and maybe even including a few more teachers.”

Mary says the newly-founded Largs Parkrun will also encourage local youngsters to get moving.

She added: “We are very lucky to live in such an idyllic area where it is so nice to not only live but to run and exercise as well.

“We are going to keep our Friday morning teachers running group going, and we are hoping a few new members of staff can join us.

“In a few months we will have our annual 5k with the staff and the S6 pupils which is something we always look forward to because it strengthens that bond.

“The Parkrun is just another addition to a town which is slowly but surely becoming more active.”

Donations to the teacher’s marathon fundraiser can be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/largsacademy