A BIG-HEARTED businessman is donating a slice of his profits to a charity close to his heart.

Ricki Johnston, 41, owns Clyde Autoshine and House Wash, a mobile valeting company based locally.

He has decided to hold special car washes a couple of times a month and give 25 per cent of the takings to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Ricki, who lives in Inverkip, said: "I was moved to do something based on my own personal experience.

"My cousin Graham Elder was only 13 when he died of leukaemia.

"Although that was 10 years ago I remember the effect it had on the whole family - and still does, especially during times like this.

"It happened all of a sudden and within the course of a year, he had passed away.

"It still seems like yesterday, especially at this time of year which is so focused around family."

Ricki, a former fisherman, also lost his grandparents to cancer and now Graham's dad Alexander is now also fighting cancer.

The dad-of-three set up his company a year ago and says he is now in a position to do some good and help the charity.

He said: "Cancer is something that touches almost every family at one time or another. I'm just glad that I'm now in a position to give something back."

He has pledged his support to a new Macmillan fundraising group in Inverclyde which is run by local people for local people.

Any monies raised will be used to support people affected by cancer in Inverclyde, including the North Ayrshire coastal area, Skelmorlie, Largs and Fairlie.

The group is also on the lookout for volunteers.

Anyone interested in helping the group can contact them through the Facebook page, Macmillan Cancer Support Fundraising Inverclyde, or by emailing macmillanfundraisinginverclyde@gmail.com

Ricki is holding his first charity car wash on Saturday at the Chartroom at Inverkip Marina between 10am and 4pm.