AN AYRSHIRE man is to take on a gruelling endurance challenge next month in aid of one of the area's best-known charities.

Fitness fanatic Martin Boyle will combine a 10-kilometre swim of Loch Doon with a 65km run along the entire length of the River Ayr, from its source at Glenbuck Loch all the way to the coast, in aid of Ayrshire Hospice - for whom he hopes to raise £7,500.

Martin is now a full-time model, and spends his days travelling around Europe for fashion events, with his most recent destination being in Milan.

Having previously tested his body to its limits last year by running two marathons in one day for the hospice with friend Euan McIntyre, Martin, who is originally from Ayr, has gone one step further this year.

Cumnock Chronicle: Martin and Euan taking on their marathons last year.Martin and Euan taking on their marathons last year. (Image: Martin Boyle)

Although no date officially been set for Martin's gruelling task as he has to fit it in around his work commitments, he hopes to tackle it in early August.

Martin said: "The fitness side of things always works in quite well with my work, but I've never done anything like this before.

"I feel like I should be okay with the running part of the challenge, but it's the swimming part that's got me worrying a wee bit - because I've done a swim that length before.

"As soon as I'm home to Ayr, I'll be swimming at Ayr beach and running through to Troon as part of my training plan.

"I feel fit, and I feel like I can definitely do it.

"I put on my page that I hoped to complete it under 20 hours, but I think I'll be aiming more for closer to 15 hours if I'm honest."

Martin's original plan was to swim from Arran to Ayr, but that was deemed too dangerous, so he set about drawing up an alternative plan.

With training well under way towards the swim and the mammoth run, Martin is hoping to give the hospice some more much-needed support.

He added: "This time I'm going solo, but I think Euan might come and run bits of it.

"I've also got some friends who will be out in the loch with me in kayaks and paddleboards and stuff like that as well so it should be fine. 

"I want to raise £7,500 for the hospice so it works out at around £100 for every kilometres of the challenge I'm doing, so hopefully we can make it to that".

You can donate to Martin's extraordinary challenge by going to bit.ly/martinboyleayrshirehospice.