A PERSONAL trainer has helped coin in thousands of pounds for a worthy cause by using his motivational skills to convince others to join him in a fundraising challenge.

It is the second year Mark Butler has organised an event to highlight men’s health issues such as prostate cancer.

Mark, who runs MBPT Fitness from the Bowfield Hotel and Country Club, in Howwood, recruited around 20 others for his latest challenge, which saw each of them running 5K each day during November.

And he was bowled over by their efforts as £7,897 was raised – smashing the previous year’s £6,000 total in the process.

Mark, 34, was inspired by the Movember movement, which focuses on men’s health.

His 74-year-old dad Walter has been living with prostate cancer for many years.

Mark told The Gazette: “Our target was £6,000, just like the previous year, so to raise what we did is brilliant.

“My dad is over the moon. He’s recently had to go for some scans and, from the last one he got back, he discovered that the cancer has not escaped, which is brilliant news because there was a bit of fear that it had started to escape from the prostate.

“He’s due another catch up with them to see what direction they are going to go in terms of surgery potentially but, other than all that, he’s actually really good.”

Both Mark’s dad and mum Barbara took part in the 5K challenge, with Walter only missing one day, as he was at the Beatson Cancer Centre, in Glasgow.

The others who took part were Mark’s bootcamp clients, along with some of his friends and other family members.

“I’m grateful to everyone who took part because, by the time you get to the middle of the month, it is a chore going out, especially when the weather is not great,” said Mark, who is a dad-of-two.

“The guys who did it were brilliant. They promoted it through their social media, which had a big impact.

“Raising money and awareness is the number one reason we do it but those taking part get fitter and it’s also good for people’s mental health.”