A MAN has battled bullies, obesity and mental health problems to take part in a charity run.

Marc Rodwell, from Hamilton, will lace up his trainers for men’s health event, MoRun, which is being held on Sunday at Glasgow Green.

Marc said: "Growing up I was bullied terribly throughout most of high school to the point where I left early because it did nothing but make me depressed. I was so depressed that I got to the point where I tried to take my life.

“I feel I was bullied because I didn't typically blend in well with the other kids.

" I was overweight, wore glasses, had bad acne and was the tallest by a few inches.”

He became reclusive and agoraphobic, which led to an extreme weight gain, leaving him at around 40 stone.

Life took another turn for the worse when his mum fell ill when he was just 19. She had suffered from a heart condition and one morning collapsed. Despite reviving her, and the work of the paramedics, she was left brain damaged due to lack of oxygen to the brain.

Marc said: “It was just me and my dad, and we didn't always get along. My mum would end up being in hospital for four years before passing away.”

With professional help, Marc gained confidence, joined a gym and managed to lose 20 stones.

He also became a regional ambassador for MoRun and has raised more than 7000 for the Movember Foundation.

He said: "I didn't want to waste another day sitting on my bum doing nothing but feeling sorry for myself.

“I wanted to see myself happy like my mum would have wanted for me.”

To support his fundraising efforts, visit mobro.co/marcrodwell