DEVOTED Blain McManus was allowed to fulfil a lifetime dream as thanks for caring for his ill girlfriend.

Blain and Mandy Lochrie met five years ago but within months Mandy was struck down with the painful bowel condition Crohn’s disease.

She became so unwell she was eventually forced to give up her job working in a city jeweller.

Blain stuck by his girlfriend and her son Brandon and most weeks works seven days and extra hours to provide for his new family who live in Knightswood.

As a thank you, Mandy, 31, nominated electrical maintenance engineer Blain for a day out at Knockhill race track as part of the Ignition Festival of Motoring.

The self confessed car fanatic took to the track in a couple of super-charged cars before being treated to a special hot lap alongside three time touring car champion Gordon Shedden.

Blain, 30, said: “I met Mandy about five years ago but her heath started to decline and she was found to be suffering from Crohn’s disease.

“She has been going through a pretty torrid time as it causes severe pain, fatigue and severe weight loss.

“I have been working seven days a week and extra hours to give Mandy and Brandon what they need and deserve as we are a single income family.

“I also look after the house, take Mandy for any appointments and help manage her medication because a side effect of the medication is that her memory isn’t great.

“Nothing would ever be too much for me to do for Mandy and nothing would make me walk away.

“I do get tired but you need to pull your socks up and do what you have to do.

“You have to appreciate the things you do have and I have a wonderful family, a roof over my head and a lot of people are worse off.

“I like to be a positive person because being negative doesn’t help.”

Mandy was able to join Blain for his day out at Knockhill which he described as a fantastic experience.

As a boy, he adored his toy cars and his love of cars has continued ever since.

Blain said: “I was floating for hours afterwards and would love to do it again but it isn’t cheap.”

The Ignition Festival of Motoring comes to Glasgow from August 4 to 6 at Glasgow's SECC.