AN anti-bullying campaigner who is currently running 401 marathons in 401 days is inspiring another heart-warming success story closer to home.

More than 100 local runners joined Ben Smith on Saturday for a scenic 26.2 miles from Jedburgh.

The 33-year-old from Bristol hopes to raise awareness of what damage bullying can do as well as raise funds for two charities dedicated to tackling bullying - Stonewall and Kidscape.

Joining Ben and the many Jed Joggers, who helped organise Saturday's route, for part of the run was Caroline McKendrick from Galashiels.

And she hopes that Ben's challenge will inspire her to reach her very own goal this weekend for a very different cause.

Caroline told the Border Telegraph: "Myself, my son Aidan, his friend Glen and my dog Ben ran on Saturday in Jedburgh with Ben Smith as part of his 401 Challenge.

"This amazing man has now given me the final determination and inspiration to achieve my marathon.

"My running journey began with a few years ago with a fun run with the local karate group run by Martin Brownlee.

"I then started running with my friends Lynne Thomson and Joanna Dean along with my faithful running companion, my Border Collie Ben.

"From there I joined the Galavanters running group which I am still with, being one of the original members."

Caroline, who has had her dog Ben beside her for almost every stride, hopes to now complete her very first full marathon at the weekend.

And she hopes to boost a Border Collie rescue charity by reaching the finish in Edinburgh on Sunday.

Caroline added: "Founder Jogleader Arlene Botha has been a great inspiration through out my time in the group with her advice and encouragement. "My fellow Galavanters have also been amazing with their advice and experiences.

"I started with 5Ks, 10Ks and more recently I am proud to have achieved four half marathons.

"It is now my ultimate goal to do a full marathon on Sunday.

"I am raising money for bordercollierescue.uk, a border collie rescue centre based in Yorkshire and covers all of Britain, run voluntarily by Mike Cooke. "They rescue mainly older collies who people don't want anymore."

Following Ben Smith's Saturday marathon, which started and finished in Jedburgh with a route taking in Monteviot, Ancrum and Lilliesleaf, he headed for Peebles on Sunday where he completed another 26.2 miles with the Moorfoot Running Club.

Having been bullied from the age of 10, Ben twice attempted to take his own life.

And his anti-bullying message has led to thousands of thousands of runners from all over the UK joining him in his campaign.

Following Saturday's run, he said: "Today was incredible.

"We had 110 runners in total from Jedburgh. Thanks to Jedburgh Joggers for putting on such a great day, especially Joanne and Nicky for planning the route and running the whole way as well.

"They organised food, a raffle, constant laughs and the weather was amazing.

"Thanks to the Galavanters for coming out from Galashiels as well."

Caroline will line up at the start of the Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday morning.

Caroline's MyDonate page to help rescued Border Collies is at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/carolinemckendrick1#

For further details or to donate to Ben's 401 Challenge log onto www.the401challenge.co.uk