An Elgin ambulance worker is preparing to put himself through 13.1 miles of Glasgow streets to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of his mother in law.
Stuart Evans, 63, will take part in the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run half marathon on Sunday 4 October in memory of Gina Edwards, who died last June.
For Stuart, the challenge carries an added personal connection because Gina had regularly travelled aboard the scheduled care ambulances operated by the service in which he works as an Ambulance Care Assistant.
Those journeys to appointments became an important part of her routine and left Stuart with memories that are now helping drive him towards the Glasgow start line.
Stuart said:
“She was a regular patient onboard our scheduled care ambulances and being picked up and taken to her appointments was a highlight of her day.
“I will be putting my 63-year-old body and medicated heart to the test and will hopefully raise lots of funds for Macmillan who provide a wonderful service at the most dreadful of times.”
It is no small undertaking for someone who only returned to running earlier this year.
Stuart completed his first run in a decade at a parkrun event in April and is now preparing to step up considerably in distance for the October challenge.
He has set himself a fundraising target of £500 for Macmillan Cancer Support and has already passed the halfway point, with £255 raised so far.
Macmillan provides practical, emotional and financial support to people living with cancer and their families, helping them through what can be an extraordinarily difficult period in their lives.
For Stuart, every mile of the half marathon will carry a little more meaning than simply reaching the finish line.
It is a challenge taken on for Gina, for the organisation that helps families facing cancer and for the hope that one man’s determination can turn 13.1 difficult miles into something worthwhile.
At 63 and after ten years away from running, Stuart knows exactly what he is asking of himself.
Come October, Glasgow awaits.
