Calvin puts his best foot forward for NHS heroes
A Renfrew teen has taken on a tough running challenge during lockdown to help raise cash for frontline NHS staff.
Generous Calvin Bogie, 19, decided he would do his bit to raise funds for the Charities Together after his friend challenged him to complete a 5k run every day for three weeks.
What started as a lighthearted joke among Calvin and his pals has now raised more than £1,400 for NHS staff.
The trainee engineer is now almost two weeks into his challenge and says he is over the moon to have smashed his initial target of £1,000 in less than one week.
At the end of the three weeks he will have run a total of 105km.
Calvin said: “I didn’t think for a second that I would make it to £ 1,000 so I was astonished when we got more than that in just six days.
“I was not expecting the support I have had from so many people but I am really happy I have raised as much as I have.
“I have a lot of friends and family who work for the NHS or are still out working as key workers and they are all working so hard just now.
“It started out with the challenge everyone is doing just now which is run 5k and donate £5.
“My friends then joked that I should do it every day and see how much money I could raise.
“It was tough at first but it has been going really well.”
Calvin has been making his way around Renfrewshire on his daily 5k runs, which he does as part of his daily lockdown exercise.
Despite, having never run any distances before, the determined teen says he has noticed a boost in both his physical and mental health since taking on the challenge.
The former Trinity High pupil added: “I ran a bit at school but I left two years ago and haven’t really done much since.
“I have noticed a big difference in my fitness since starting it two weeks ago.
“I’m really enjoying it and it is making me feel really good the more I am doing.”
Calvin also said running to raise the money for the NHS has inspired him to sign up for a charity run in the future.
He said: “I never thought of taking part in a charity run before but I think I would really like to do one once the lockdown is lifted and we are able to.
“I am really glad I have been able to raise this money for the NHS and also found something that I really enjoy doing too.”
To donate to Calvin’s fundraiser, go to https:// www. gofundme. com/ f/ 5k- ever yday- for- 21- days? utm_ source=customer&utm_medium=copy_ link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet