A lifetime Hearts supporter has gone an extra mile in bid to support the country's veterans.

John Cole, 43, who works for the North British Distillery Company in Wheatfield Road, completed the gruelling Edinburgh 10k earlier this month in aid of his favourite team's charity partner.

Along with three friends Colin Robertson, David Aitchison and Laurence Mutch, the season ticket holder completed the course for the first time in 58 minutes and three seconds.

His efforts raised £784 for Erskine, which runs the Erskine Edinburgh Home in Gilmerton, and his employers generously matched his donation pound for pound.

John and his fellow Hearts fans came up with the plan of entering the 10k race as a way to raise money for charity. As life-time supporters of the club they were keen to a cause close to its heart and the obvious choice was Erskine, which was unveiled as the premier league side's charity partner last year.

Along with David Rae, Managing Director of the North British Distillery Company Ltd, John presented his final total of £1,568 to Erskine fundraiser John Fyfe recently.

John Fyfe, East of Scotland fundraiser, said: "We were delighted when John and his friends choose Erskine as their 'team' when they ran the Edinburgh 10k earlier this month. Over the past season we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of Hearts and its supporters, who really have gone the extra mile to raise much-needed funds for Erskine.

"We are overjoyed that they continue to support our cause and have welcomed our veterans into their family with open arms."

For further information about Erskine visit www.erskine.org.uk.