SLIMMING cyclist Ross Howie has set himself a challenge of clocking up 300 miles this month for Cancer Research UK.

And determined Ross, who is a member of Slimming World in Stevenston, asked his fellow slimmers to help him raise money for the charity.

They all decided to swap the money they would spend on snacks for a donation to his Just Giving page for the charity.

Now, he has raised twice as much of the £250 initial target and he still has a few days left in April to keep raising money.

The dad-of-two from Stevenston was inspired by the loss of his own mother and from seeing people he knows and cares for being diagnosed during recent times.

“I’ve been cycling around 300 miles each month this year and started my Slimming World journey last year and I have lost over a stone,” said Ross.

“But even though I had lost weight the cycling was tough so I actually upped my food intake and that has helped.

“I had 26 miles to go to complete the 300 mile challenge and the other day I woke up at 4am and thought, right let’s do this, so at 5am I went out and finished it.

“I’ve learned you have to just motivate yourself to do something, no one can do it for you, whether it’s losing weight or getting on your bike, take control.

“The group at Slimming World have been great and as you get fitter you look at other things, I haven’t had a drink in a long time and I have stopped vaping too.”

Isy Muir who leads the Stevenston Slimming World group was impressed with Ross’s efforts.

“Ross is great and everyone knows him as he is the man at the door keeping everyone socially distanced when we are allowed to meet at St John’s.”

Support Ross’s fundraising at https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/ross-cycle-300-fundraising-page-31