A BUSINESSMAN tackled 40 miles of rocky slopes, rivers, forests, peat bogs and moorland in aid of a charity which saved his baby son’s life.

Jim Lovett, of Grassfield Way, Knutsford, left the comfort of his office to run a marathon in Loch Fyne in the Scottish Highlands.

The 40-year-old embarked on the challenge in support of North Staffordshire Hospital Paediatric’s intensive care unit.

His son Edward was cared for by the unit when he contracted septicaemia and meningitis when he was less than a week old.

Jim, who raised £3,350 for the hospital, said: “The staff were absolutely amazing when Edward was ill.

“Everything had gone well with the birth and he had been sent home okay, but then he suddenly became very ill.

“It’s only when you’re in a situation like that you see just how wonderful these people are, and I decided then that I would have to do something to repay them for all their hard work and dedication.”

Jim and his running partner Liam Bergin had to camp on the mountainside overnight, which also meant carrying 30kg of tent, supplies and emergency kit.

He added: “It was incredibly hard work, not just running uphill with all our kit, but navigating through mist and coping with the changeable weather – driving rain, and at some points, scorching temperatures.”

Edward, who weighed just 4kg when he came home shortly before Christmas, is now fit and healthy and being looked after by mum Jane and his two elder brothers, Patrick, seven, and Michael, five. To make a donation, visit justgiving.com/Jim-Lovett.