Anderson's Primary 1 pupil Angus Benson runs Wee Nessie section of Loch Ness Marathon to raise funds for Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation

A FORRES P1 pupil raised £300 for a local charity he admires from the shoreline.

Angus Benson (5) took part in the ‘Wee Nessie’ section of the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running on Sunday, October 1, raising funds for Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation (MIRO).

His mum Kate explained it was optional for participants to raise money for charity.

She said: “Angus wanted to support a charity close to home. We spend a lot of time in Findhorn and he has seen the MIRO boat go out from the marina. He thinks it’s really cool!”

The Wee Nessie is open to children aged five and under, and follows an 800 metres circular route around Bught Park.

“It was absolutely pouring when we left home,” said Kate, “but it stopped raining just as we arrived at the park. Wee Nessie was fully subscribed so there must have been around 100 children taking part. They could run on their own or with a parent and Angus’s dad, Andy, drew the short straw! It was such a great atmosphere and Angus absolutely loved taking part. He went to bed that night with his medal then took it into Anderson’s Primary School to show everyone!”

She added: “We are so proud of Angus. He has informed us that he plans to do the 5K next year and expects mum and dad to do it with him ... We had better start training now!!”

MIRO relies on donations to operate its coastal rescue service so chairman John Low is extremely grateful to the Bensons.

He said: “What an amazing achievement, no wonder he wanted to show off his medal! We were delighted to invite Angus and his parents to visit MIRO’s base at Findhorn Marina to meet volunteers and have a look at the rescue boat, The Glynn Whitehead III, and the tractor we use to launch and recover it at this time of year. Angus was also able to see inside the cabin where the crew change and look at the kit they use when responding to an emergency call out.”