Community / Relay for Life chair to kickstart 2021 fundraising drive with marathon
THE CHAIRMAN of the local Relay for Life event is looking to kickstart this year’s fundraising drive by running a marathon at the end of the month in memory of his father-in-law.
Martin Henderson, who completed two half marathons last year, will cover the distance on 30 January.
He is fundraising for Cancer Research UK (CRUK) in tribute to his late father-in-law, who lost his battle with cancer in February 2019.
“My father-in-law was very keen on sports and very encouraging when I made the decision to start running; he always needed to know my times and distances,” Henderson said.
“I completed my first parkrun in Aberdeen in 2018 and throughout 2019 I completed both the Edinburgh and Shetland half marathons I never thought I would get to a place where I would be embarking on a full marathon.
“2020 was a particularly difficult year for all. The pandemic affected many events. When our Relay For Life was cancelled, I made the decision to run my first marathon in memory of my father in law, and fundraise for CRUK.”
The pandemic is said to have hit Cancer Research UK hard, not only in the ability for the charity to carry out research but also its ability to generate income.
To donate to the marathon fundraiser, visit the online donations page here.
The Shetland Relay For Life committee, meanwhile, is busy planning other fundraising events this year.
A virtual relay event is planned for 29 May ahead of next year’s full event on 28 May 2022.
The Relay for Life event had been due to take place last year but it was originally postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic.
February will also see the introduction of ‘Afternoon Teas in a Box’, which will allow folk to have fancies delivered to their home.
Relay teams are encouraged to be creative with this year’s fundraising efforts and to share their plans with the committee for help with promotion.
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