MILD-mannered Ray Scholes (pictured) can't help but stick his oar in -- especially when it comes to helping others less fortunate than himself.

For Ray, a South Ribble council employee has spent all his spare time raising much needed funds for Comic Relief.

And Ray has achieved a personal milestone -- and raised more than £400 to boot -- after rowing more than 1,000,000 metres in aid of the children's appeal.

Ray, a highways engineer at South Ribble Borough Council for the last 12 years, has spent the last five months at Leyland Leisure Centre completing the gruelling distance -- which works out at 65 hours sat at the rowing machine.

And the very day Ray finished his arduous row, he revealed he is thinking of doing it all over again! Ray, 38, from Penn Street, Howich, explained: "I started rowing about two years ago when I did 100,000 metres together with seven other rowers.

"I thought about doing it for Comic Relief because I relished the challenge and to raise some money for a good cause.

"Leyland Leisure Centre has been very supportive in what I'm doing as I've been spending literally months there!"

He added: "My wife and 18-year-old daughter think I'm mad, but they have been very supportive as well.

"I was very relieved to finish, but I am thinking about doing another one soon."

The Citizen will be keeping a close eye on the many wacky and weird ways of raising cash for Comic Relief on March 16. If you, or someone you know, is doing something on the day drop us a line on (01772) 255532 or e-mail sgibbons@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk