Marathon Men Go the Extra Mile

Four dedicated fundraisers went all the way for SCIAF at the Edinburgh Marathon.

James Hardie and Padraig Looney from Edinburgh, Martin Casey from Bishopbriggs and Paul Carnan from Giffnock, ran to help some of the world’s poorest people work towards a better life. They joined thousands of men and women from across the country at the starting line on Sunday, 31st May.

All four decided to take on the gruelling 26.2 mile challenge in order to raise funds for SCIAF’s work and are hoping to bring in over £2,000 in sponsorship money between them. Their fundraising efforts will help to support some of the life-saving projects which SCIAF funds in over 20 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. The organisation supplies emergency aid following war and natural disasters and provides communities with the tools and training they need to lift themselves out of poverty.

Seasoned runner, Paul Carnan, who completed the Flora London Marathon for SCIAF last year, was looking forward to his next challenge. Speaking before the event, he said:

“Like Forrest Gump, I just keep on running …but for some, life is not quite a box of chocolates. That’s why I’m delighted to be running the Edinburgh Marathon in support of SCIAF who do so much to help some of the poorest people in the world to work their way out of poverty, regardless of race or religion.”

Fellow fundraiser, Martin Casey was competing in his first full marathon. He said:

“A colleague once told me that if God had wanted us to run 26 miles, he would never have invented the wheel but I’m doing this for a good cause and that will keep me going. It is one of the hardest challenges I have ever set myself and I’m really looking forward to crossing the finish line knowing that all the training and early morning runs have been worthwhile. It’s going to be a great feeling making it to the end and achieving what I set out to do.”

SCIAF’s Clea Ferguson added:

“It was fantastic to have so many SCIAF supporters taking part in this year’s Edinburgh Marathon. Their phenomenal fundraising efforts will help to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of people in some of the poorest countries on earth.”

You can find out more about each of the four fundraisers running the Edinburgh Marathon on behalf of SCIAF, and offer them your support, by visiting their just giving sites which are listed below.

James Hardie

www.justgiving.com/jhardie

Padraig Lonney

www.justgiving.com/padraiglooney

Paul Carnan

www.justgiving.com/paulcarnan

Martin Casey

www.justgiving.com/martincasey