Announcement The leader of Arran Youth Foundations, Graeme Johnston, will run round the Isle of Arran on Friday 19th May 2023 to raise funds for the charity.

Kicking off from AYF's youth cabins in Lamlash on the morning of the 19th, Graeme will then circumnavigate the entire 56 miles of the island by foot. He will finish his run at the centre that evening, cheered on by the young folk who attend their weekly Friday night youth club.

As well as travelling 90 kilometres, he will also achieve an elevation gain of 897m, or 2,943ft, making this his biggest run ever by some way.

Explaining why he is taking the challenge on, Graeme said: "Last year I did a couple of ultra marathons to raise funds for AYF and between them they brought in over £1,000.

"I really love long-distance running challenges anyway, so realising how much we could raise just by me putting my trainers on and doing mad things, my mind instantly went to a bigger and better challenge to raise even more funds.

"Once the thought of running round Arran occurred to me I knew I had to do it. It had always been on the bucket list and using it to hopefully raise thousands of pounds to benefit the young people of Arran is the perfect incentive."

Last year, the charity's Youth Work Project Manager raised funds by running the length of the River Ayr Way (over 40 miles) and taking part in the Goggins 4x4x48 challenge that involves running 48 miles over 48 hours by running 4 miles every 4 hours.

But there's good reason he isn't worried about tackling this latest extreme challenge.

"The amazing thing about doing this is knowing the community of Arran will get behind us, like they always do. People on the island are always so generous, not only with their financial donations but with other types of support."

Anyone willing to give a donation can do so at https://justgiving.com/campaign/AYFRoundArran

Other forms of support that would be just as appreciated are:

* Accommodation in Brodick/Lamlash on Thursday 18th May

* Food or water as he makes his way round

* A couple of running shirts with a graphic marking the run, to raise awareness and generate donations on the day

* Support runners happy to jump in for a few miles

* A big pizza for the end!