A brave firefighter is going to run a marathon a day to travel from John O’Groats to Glasgow in a bid to raise funds for young burns victims.

Stephen Burns, who has been a firefighter for eight years, will start his mammoth challenge today and hopes to be back in the city’s George Square by Thursday, October 13.

The incredible feat will take 11 days in total with the 33-year-old from Cowcaddens Fire Station running almost 300 miles.

Stephen, who lives with his partner Nicola Young in Glasgow’s South Side, was inspired to take on the challenge after watching Sean Conway become the ultimate triathlon as he ran, swam and cycled from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

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The firefighter, who is a centre-back with Maryhill Black Star Amateur Football Club, said: “I was looking for something new to do because this is my last year playing football.

“I watched a couple of programmes on the television featuring a chap called Sean Conway.

“He ran and swam the length of Britain. It inspired me to get out and go running.

“I thought if I am going to do this I may as well do it for a reason, and I couldn’t think of a better reason than the children’s hospital. That’s really how it all came about.”

Stephen hopes to raise £2000 for the burns unit based in the Royal Children’s Hospital via The Glasgow Children’s Charity.

Explaining his motivation for the fundraising, he said: “When you do get burns victims it’s amplified when its children.

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“When you do go back to the fire house and you are sitting around talking about it - you’ve done all you can do at that stage.

“This was really about me being able to do a wee bit more once they go in that ambulance.

“If we raise a bit of money we can improve the equipment that these doctors and nurses have got – and it might give the kids a better quality of life.

“It’s all about continuing the support after we get back to the fire house.”

Having raised almost £1000, Stephen hoped a charity fundraising night at Cowcaddens Fire Station on Saturday night will boost that figure even further.

It was the last bit of fun Stephen will have before he takes on his gruelling challenge.

He said: “I would probably class myself as just average fitness. With regards to running I was running four or five miles here.

“Recently I decided to run 26 miles through to Falkirk because my girlfriend’s family are from there and I thought it was OK.

“I have kept on that route and I have just finished the Loch Ness Marathon. That was my first ever official marathon.”

He added: “I feel like you do before you go on a rollercoaster. You have nerves and you are a wee bit scared. But you know you are going to enjoy and it will be great fun.

“I am very anxious for it start now because there has been so much talking and waiting for it.”

After each marathon is complete, Stephen hopes to pitch near a burn or loch, get washed before finding food and sleeping until the next 26.2 miles.

He admits the support from his fellow firefighters is one of the things that has kept him motivated.

He said: “The guys at the fire house have been great and so many have helped with the planning of the charity night.

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“I think people are generally worried about me as well which is unusual for firemen.”

He added: “I am very blessed to have some really nice guys in my station.”

You can sponsor Stephen here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/RunBurnsyRun