By
Sarah Johnson
 SUPPORTING our appeal is a great way to lose weight and get in shape.
 Just ask Douglas Johnston
(right) who lost more than two stones after deciding to dust down his running shoes and train for
a half-marathon to raise money for sick children across Scotland.
The 58-year-old from Denny spent four months getting in shape for the 2007 Freshnlo Great Scottish Run earlier this month in Glasgow — and after completing the 131/2 mile course in
2 hours 25 minutes raised £117.
Running shoes
Having done 10 long-distance runs over the years, Douglas thought his running days were behind him.
He said, “After reading about The Sunday Post Children’s Hospital Appeal four months ago I
decided to dig out my running shoes, which had been gathering dust for a couple of years, and take
part in the run on September 2.
“Realising I’d have to train for this event, which can be quite physically demanding, I found inspiration and encouragement from Jane Tomlinson, who raised millions for charity by running, swimming and
cycling even though she had terminal cancer.
“What she achieved will live on and continue to motivate people, like me.
“I also received encouragement from the lads I work with at British Waterway at Carron Sea-Lock, Grangemouth, who gladly gave donations towards this worthwhile appeal.
“You forget how tough it is to get into running in the morning but you have to do it because otherwise there’s no way you’d be able to finish a half-marathon.”
Encourages
Starting in George Square and finishing at Glasgow Green, Douglas said, “Everyone encourages each other, which is great when you’re flagging.
“I completed the course in 2 hours 25 minutes, which isn’t bad for a
58-year-old,” Douglas smiles.
“But that’s insignificant compared to the care these young patients will receive with the help of donations.”
Now that he has itchy feet Douglas — whose friends jokingly say looks like our very own PC Murdoch — is already thinking about the next race.
“I get a running magazine which gives all the dates for the year
ahead so I am already thinking about trying something else. It gives you a goal, motivating you
to get fit while helping others.”
Douglas says age is never an obstacle to try new things and encourages anyone of “a certain age” to get active to help others.
He laughs, “I’m often told I should take it easy and grow old gracefully — but why bother when growing old disgracefully is far more fun.
“If it hadn’t been for The Sunday Post I wouldn’t have done it, and wouldn’t have lost the weight or raised the money for the children.
“So you could say everyone is a winner.”
 AND THANKS also to Martin King from Glasgow who decided at the last minute to enter the Real Glasgow Big Fun Run at Bellahouston Park earlier this month.
The 27-year-old project manager was too late to sign up for the Freshnlo half-marathon so when
he heard about the 5K Fun Run he didn’t hesitate to take part, raising
£30.
Martin admits, “The run was a little harder than I thought and
the last bit was uphill. But it hasn’t put me off. I’ve decided that now
I’m approaching 30 I’m going to start doing more, so it won’t be the last run, or charity event, I’ll take part in.”
Choosing to run in support of
our appeal he says, “I like the idea that all the money is staying in Scotland helping children.”
IF YOU have a
special reason for contributing to or raising funds for our appeal
then we’d like to hear from you.
It could be that
you’d like to thank caring staff for the treatment they’ve
provided in your hour of need. Or perhaps a relative spent time in
one of Scotland’s children’s hospitals and the experience has
left a lasting impression on your family’s life.
Whatever the reason,
please let us know.
We’d be delighted
to share your experiences with our readers. And, who knows,
it may inspire others to follow in your fund-raising footsteps.
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