MAUCHLINE siblings Maxwell, Mitchell and Wallis Wyllie proudly welcomed their parents as they returned from an amazing fundraising mission accomplished.

Willie and Jill Wyllie successfully completed an amazing 5-5-5 challenge.

They ran five marathons in under five hours over five days in aid of SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health).

Their three children - nine-year-old Maxwell, Wallis, aged 17 and 15-year-old Mitchell were supportive during the couple’s intense training routine, while Maxwell travelled on the support vehicle shouting encouragement to his parents.

Jill said: “This challenge is something I have always wanted to do ever since our last marathon at Loch Ness but no one would really take me seriously.

“Despite injury and a postponement to our start date, we ran four to five times weekly and increased our mileage up to 22 miles at the training peak, taking only one day off a week.

“As keen runners, we have attended our local gym up to six days per week for years. Continuing this regime greatly increased stamina and endurance.

“Willie had minimal pain, mainly just fatigue in his legs. However, I had blistered feet — which worsened with each run as they had no time to recover — and painful knees.

“The most difficult part of the challenge was dealing with the pain and psychologically, just to keep going. There weren’t many laughs along the way. We mainly kept each other company and supported one another but, in saying that, finding appropriate places for comfort breaks was a funny experience.”

All three children, as well as the family’s pet dog Lexie, joined a noisy reception committee when their mum and dad returned from the venture and crossed the finish line outside their school.

They attend Wellington School in Ayr, where SAMH is this year’s chosen charity of the sixth year pupils, and Jill was delighted to support them, with almost £8,500 raised by the couple so far.

She said: “Mental health has for so long had a stigma attached to it and every one of us will know someone with, or experience ourselves, mental health issues at some stage. So many people have commented positively on our choice of charity as mental health can sometimes be overlooked.”

Community fundraiser at the charity, Megan Stobo, added : “SAMH is truly honoured to be Wellington School’s 6th Year’s chosen charity for 2015/16. The extreme challenge undertaken by Mr and Mrs Wyllie has given an enormous boost to the pupils’ fundraising and we are so grateful to every single person who has contributed to their total.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/Willie-jillwyllie or text WYLL55, plus the amount you wish to give, to 70070.