A dog who became a global celebrity when he was abandoned at a railway station with a suitcase full of his belongings has inspired his new owner to run a marathon in aid of charity.

Kai, with his suitcase, at Ayr Station where he was abandoned

Kai, with his suitcase, at Ayr Station where he was abandoned Image by SPCA/PA Wire

Kai was left at Ayr station in January last year, prompting offers from dog lovers around the world to take him in.

The shar pei-crossbreed was rescued by animal welfare charity the Scottish SPCA and given a new home with Ian Russell, an engineer from Newton Mearns in East Renfrewshire.

Now, a year on from the day Kai moved in, the dog is helping his owner train for the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity.

Kai waiting by his suitcase

Kai waiting by his suitcase Image by Scottish SPCA/PA Wire

Mr Russell, 53, said: “Raising funds for the Scottish SPCA is what it’s all about. I was lucky enough to rehome Kai and really want to give something back.

“I hand in food and bits and bobs for the animals, but felt I should do something bigger and I wanted to test myself with a marathon.

“Kai loves coming out running with me when I train and it’s a piece of cake to him as he’s so young and fit.

Ian Russell and Kai- the dog who became a global celebrity when he was abandoned at a railway station with a suitcase full of his belongings has inspired his new owner to run a marathon in aid of charity.

Ian Russell and Kai- the dog who became a global celebrity when he was abandoned at a railway station with a suitcase full of his belongings has inspired his new owner to run a marathon in aid of charity. Image by Peter Devlin/Scottish SPCA/PA Wire

“This will be my third marathon as I did one when I was in my twenties and one in my thirties, although this will be my first time running in London.

“Now that I’m in my fifties I think it will be more difficult but I’m not chasing a brilliant time, I just want to complete it one way or another and support the Scottish SPCA.”

Kai was discovered by railway staff on January 2 last year after an internet sale fell through. He was tied to a railing and accompanied by a case containing a pillow, toy, food and bowl.

The images of the abandoned dog went round the world and the animal welfare charity said people from as far afield as New York and the Philippines offered to give him a new home.

Mr Russell, who has described getting Kai as being like winning the lottery, said the first year has flown past.

He added: “He comes to work with me every day and has a wee face he pulls if he thinks I’m going out without him.

“We still get recognised everywhere we go, even when we’re out hillwalking. Just recently we were in Glencoe when a lady stopped us.”

Anyone wanting to sponsor Mr Russell can visit www.justgiving.com/Ian-Russell9/ or from the UK text KAIX99 followed by their desired amount to 70070.

(Press Association)