A GO-getting grandad is preparing to push his body to the limit by taking on an ultra-marathon for charity.

Bill Storey only took up running two years ago after trying out the couch to 5k running programme.

Now the determined 49-year-old, who lives in Greenock and works as a project manager, is facing his biggest challenge to date - an epic 113 mile ultra-marathon from Ullapool to the Isle of Skye.

Bill says he has been inspired to take on the gruelling challenge by two very special people.

He is helping his friend's daughter, 15-year-old Sofia Crockatt, who was left fighting for her life after battling meningitis at the age of just two and had her left leg amputated below the knee.

Bill is also running for his friend Richard Macefield who suffers from multiple sclerosis.

He hopes to raise as much money as he can for the Meningitis Research Foundation, where Sofia is the organisation's youngest ambassador, and an MS therapy centre.

Bill said: "It's going to be really hard but the only person who can stop me from completing it is me.

"A lot of the time, I'm going to be running in the dark and the weather is going to be rubbish plus it's hilly, long and at times I'll be a bit lonely.

"But if I said to Richard and Sofia, train for two years really hard and run for 30 hours and you could have your legs back, they would jump at the chance.

"This is just a small gesture."

Bill, who is married to Karen and has two grown-up children - Heidi, 35, and Kyle, 31 plus five grandchildren - has set himself the demanding challenge of running the ultra-marathon continuously.

He hopes to complete the course in under 30 hours.

He said: "My wife is going to meet me every 10 miles so I can change my t-shirt and get some food.

"I'll be eating things like crisps.

"Because I will be running slowly my body can still digest.

"Another food that's been in vogue for me is mashed potato."

Bill, who is a keen photographer and was formerly in the Air Force, will have a vehicle following behind him.

He said: "There will be a Range Rover behind me for safety as I'll be running on the road.

"Initially I wasn't going to have anyone with me but it's too dangerous on the roads."

Bill is inviting who would like to be an outrider or who could help with the support vehicle to get in touch.

Ahead of Bill's challenge, Rob Dawson, the director of support at the Meningitis Research Foundation, sent him a message of support.

He said: "We are really grateful to Bill for helping to raise funds for MRF.

"Bill has supported events for us in the past and his continued efforts make him a real meningitis champion, helping us defeat this terrible disease.

"These vital funds raised by him will help to protect more people from meningitis."

Bill will set off on his ultra-marathon on Friday November 29.

Anyone who would like to help out Bill's support team should email tindogphoto@gmail.com and sponsorship pledges can be made online via JustGiving.