An island doctor has raised nearly £4,000 while walking the Raad Ny Foillan coastal path in aid of NHS workers’ families.

Dr Martin Rankin, who works 14-hour shifts for the Manx Emergency Doctor Service (MEDS), has reached Fleshwick near Port Erin after walking anti-clockwise from Noble’s Hospital - all while wearing his dressing gown.

His ’Sleep Walk’ mission aims to raise £1m towards the families of NHS staff members in the UK who have died from Covid-19.

The doctor has vowed to walk 100 miles in tribute to them.

In the UK, it was announced families of NHS England and Wales frontline staff who have died from Covid-19 would receive a £60,000 payment.

Dr Rankin, who hit headlines last month after warning against relaxing the Covid-19 lockdown early, does not believe this is enough to support these families.

He said: ’I’m delighted that 98 people have donated and that the total is pushing £4,000.

’If people could afford £5 it would mean a lot. These doctors, nurses etcetera gave their lives helping patients with Covid-19. They can’t hear clapping and their families need money.’

He is encouraging those who clap for the NHS on Thursdays to consider donating towards the cause.

Dr Rankin started his campaign on May 5.

The doctor’s typical working day starts at MEDS at 6pm and finishes at 8am.

Following this, he usually goes home to sleep ahead of another overnighter.

However, he said he ’won’t be able to sleep’ if he lets the families down.

’These NHS workers who have died went the extra mile so I’m going to go 100 miles for them,’ he previously told the Examiner.

Visit his fundraising page here: www.gofundme.com/f/families-of-health-careworkers-died-from-covid19