A YOUNG fundraiser is making a marathon effort for charity this Christmas.

Rus Scagell, 20, laced up his running shoes for the first ever Bournemouth Marathon in October.

And he’s now taking the next steps in his musical career to support the same cause – Ferndown-based charity the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation.

listen to ‘Walk the Night and Black Water County talk about Fairytale of New York’ on Audioboom

Together with his band Walk the Night, and fellow musicians Black Water County, a version of Fairytale of New York by the Pogues with Kirsty McColl has now been released to raise even more money for the charity.

Rus, who is currently studying music at Middlesex University, said: “I was put in touch with John’s parents, Pete and Linda Thornton, when I was at Ferndown Upper School, and I just wanted to do something to help. I ran the marathon for the Foundation last month, but before that I was thinking about what else I could do, and that’s really how this all came about.”

While the members of Black Water County prefer Celtic folk, and Walk the Night choose to play rock music, both bands know each other well and even share a drummer.

Kevin Harris, who manages the bookings for the bands, said: “They’re all aged 18 to 20, and of the eight of them who worked together on the song, five went to Ferndown Upper School and have had the benefit of the foundation.

“It’s a brilliant version of the song, so hopefully lots of people will go out and buy it.”

Rus said: “We decided to go for that song because it’s the best Christmas record of all time. Everyone loves it and we love playing it too.”

The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation raises cash to fund scholarships for young people in the area.

It was set up in honour of Royal Marine Lieutenant John Thornton from Ferndown, pictured above, who was tragically killed in Afghanistan in 2008.

For more information, visit facebook.com/walkthenightuk or facebook.com/blackwatercounty.