ONE of Inverclyde's greatest ever charity champions has completed a record-breaking run to raise money for a cause close to his heart.
At the age of 83, Tommy 'The Clown' Armstrong was among the oldest participants taking part in the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow.
Tommy is a well-known face across Inverclyde and at running events far beyond the local area, having been raising funds and keeping fit for nearly 40 years.
In that time the Greenock man has raised hundreds of thousands for charities, especially those with a focus on children, and has put smiles on faces all over the country.
This year he had his clown uniform on, and his bucket in his hand, to raise funds for the Huntingdon's Disease Association.
Speaking to the Tele Tommy, who completed the 10k, said: "It means such a lot to me to still be doing this. It is a long, long time.
"It is lovely at the start, because they always give me an announcement on the loudspeaker. I love the cheers and the support when I am going round. It keeps me going.
"One of the first charities I ever supported was Huntingdon's Disease, for a wee boy in Greenock at the time.
"It is always for the children. I love to raise money to help."
As well as doing charity runs, Tommy is still out and about waving his flags and collecting cash.
He used to set up a stall in West Blackhall Street, but now travels all the way to Largs.
Tommy, a former ex service man, is also a great supporter of Children in Poverty Inverclyde.
He has raised thousands of pounds for the charity, which helps send struggling families on holiday.
But Tommy has also supported hundreds of fundraisers to help youngsters with health conditions or particular needs.
Over the years his fundraising has caught the imagination of the public, and for a long time his Santa Dashes brought an extra dash of festive cheer to Inverclyde.
And the public in Inverclyde have also rallied behind Tommy, with a local jewellery owner stepping in to donate a new car to him when he was left without one last year.
He was among thousands taking part in the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow last weekend, which started at George Square and finished at Glasgow Green.
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