Olly Murs took on a marathon trip by car and rail so he didn’t miss a charity gig in Spain.

The X Factor runner up set off for Marbella last Friday after the closure of Europe’s airspace meant he was also a victim of the volcanic ash cloud.

“Just in car on 23hr journey to Spain due to flights for charity gig.....there was no way I was going to miss it.....for a great cause,” he wrote on his Twitter page on Friday evening.

The Witham star helped raise more than £30,000 by performing in aid of the Surrey-based Emily Ash Trust.

The Trust raises cash to help improve the lives of children and young adults suffering with cancer. It was set up in 2002 after youngster Emily Ash battled with acute lymphoblastik leukaemia.

Late Saturday afternoon Olly posted on his Twitter: “I’m in Marbella!!!! Yeeeeeeeeh. 10mins from hotel. Cant wait for a McDonald’s! X”

After the gig, and more miles, the 25-year-old boarded the Eurostar back to Blighty on Monday morning.