A KILWINNING man laced up his trainers this Christmas to raise money for those struggling with mental health issues.

Callum Ainsworth, 31, ran a marathon on Christmas Day, raising over £1,800 for the Mental Health Foundation.

The runner completed a 26-mile route around North Ayrshire, along with friend Craig Barr, 28, with the two finishing in a time of three hours and 44 minutes.

The pair were initially supposed to take part in the Edinburgh marathon in May this year.

The event was postponed to September and subsequently cancelled, but the duo did not want to let all their hard work go to waste.

They decided to raise money for the Foundation after losing their friend Jamie Lynch, 28, to suicide at the beginning of the year.

Callum said: “Jamie was larger than life.

“He was probably the last person you’d expect to do something like that.

“I’d already signed up for the marathon, but it was just another wee incentive.

“Craig’s also been a big incentive and a great help over the past couple of years, so it’ll be good to share the experience with him.”

After also suffering from mental health issues himself, Callum hopes the event can help raise awareness for those struggling similar problems, especially after the trials of this year.

He believes running is one of the things that has helped him get back on his feet.

He said: “It’s something you don’t think about when you’re younger, but it’s so rife now.

“It happens to the people you wouldn’t expect, and I probably fall under that category.

“I think I come across as quite a confident, outgoing guy – it’s not that I’m not, it’s just that there’s more to people than you see a lot of the time.

“For me, going out for a run in the morning makes such a difference – you get a natural buzz about you and it sets you up for the day.”

Callum’s preparations were dealt a blow after he tested positive for COVID-19 in the weeks leading up to the fundraiser.

Despite not being able to go out and train during his isolation period, he was confident he would still go the distance.

Callum also hoped the run would help bring some festive cheer to those spending Christmas alone.

He added: “A lot of people were spending Christmas in isolation and they didn’t get to be with their families, so we just wanted to help end the year on a high.”

Callum and Craig’s JustGiving page is still open, and donations can be made here.