Community / Runners head to Lisbon to raise funds for local charity
THREE local long-distance runners are preparing to take on the Lisbon marathon next month to raise funds for the Shetland Care Attendant Scheme (SCAS).
Veterans Karen Fraser, who has 17 marathons to her name, and her 12-time marathon running husband Maurice will be joined by Craig Smith, who will be running his first marathon.
Based at Market House, SCAS is an independent charity providing support to unpaid carers by looking after their loved ones at home throughout the isles, providing them with regular and overnight breaks.
As SCAS service manager Karen can see “first hand” how many unpaid carers there are living in Shetland and how they and the people they care for benefit from the SCAS support.
“I can see how much they need regular breaks and how much it is appreciated,” she said.
“We want to raise awareness of the help SCAS can provide as there are so many unpaid carers in Shetland doing such an amazing job, caring for loved ones at home, keeping them staying where they want to be.
“They really do need regular breaks, including overnight breaks to allow them to continue in their caring role and avoid burnout. Some unpaid carers get little to no sleep due to their caring responsibilities.”
She said that carers can self-refer to SCAS for support and added: “Respite and residential care are very limited at the moment and SCAS is the only registered service in Shetland who can provide overnight breaks.”
Craig said SCAS has been a great support to his wife’s family in recent years, and is still now as the family cares for his 97-year old mother-in-law.
Thanks to the help the family receives from the charity, it is possible for her to stay in her own home.
He only took up running a few years ago as part of a decision to live a healthier life, and has completed three half marathons in Scotland so far.
Doubling the distance and running that in the Portuguese heat will be a challenge, he admits.
“SCAS is an amazing charity with great staff. We can’t them thank enough for the work they do,” he said.
Since the service of the charity is free of charge, fundraising and receiving donations are vital to keep it that way.
Donations in support of the Lisbon marathon challenge on 6 October can be made here.
