Crossbasket kids cheer on children’s charity runners
Children from Crossbasket Nursery in Blantyre cheered on a group of runners as they embarked on the next leg of their gruelling 560-mile race to raise funds for the charity Children 1st.
The group, including former soldier John Mcgurk (55), are running from Germany to Glasgow via the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Clackmannanshire, Stirling and Lanarkshire to generate awareness and support for Children 1st after John himself was abused as a child.
Crossbasket Castle, in Blantyre, provided welcome refreshment and a brief rest for the runners as part of a scheduled stop.
The staff, who also ran alongside John, encouraged the nursery children to design morale boosting flags and banners to help wave the runners on to their next stop.
John said: “i survived a traumatic childhood and chose Children 1st because they work with abused children and those whose lives are blighted by poverty.
“The work they do is all about helping children recover from trauma, or helping families who need support.
“That’s what needs addressed, and what I want to change.
“The support we have received so far has been absolutely fantastic – the staff at Crossbasket Castle have made us feel so welcome during our brief, but luxurious, stop in Blantyre, and the children’s support and banners gave us such a big boost!”
Ryan Davidson, General Manager at the hotel, was delighted to be involved in helping John and his runners and wished them well for the rest of their fundraising journey.
He said” “the staff at Crossbasket really got behind John and his team to support such a great cause.
“We were really happy to have been a part of their epic journey and help refuel the team.”