Runner’s birthday gifts mark milestone
David took on 10k challenge to raise cash for groups
David McPhee hands over a cheque for £585 to Niall McGill at the Golf Memories group Perth man David McPhee has been pounding the pavements to gather money for two local groups.
The kind-hearted fundraiser marked his 50th birthday this year by running in five 10k races across the country.
He completed the Meadows 10k in Edinburgh, Monifieth High School 10k, Glasgow Men’s 10k, Perth 10k and the Cumbernauld 10k.
And since donning his trainers the Perth and Kinross Council employee has raised £1170, which has been split between Golf Memories and Saints Mental Wellbeing Football.
David said: “I’m fortunate enough to have an involvement with both projects that I raised the funds for.
“Within my work role I coordinate the volunteers and take referrals for the Golf Memories group and work closely with Niall McGill, who delivers the programme at Noah’s Ark Golf Centre each week.
“In my own time I’m a community coach at St Johnstone Community Trust, working under Danny Griffin to deliver the Saints Mental Wellbeing football programme.
“As a result I see the huge benefits and enjoyment that all participants get from both projects.
“I’ve made many friends with those taking part in both groups and just thought that some additional fundraising would help and also help to raise the profile of both groups. New members are always made welcome.”
David has been overwhelmed by the generosity of friends and work colleagues.
“I didn’t set a fundraising target as the only pressure I wanted to be under was to make sure I finished all my races intact,” he explained.
“It was great to raise so much money and I really appreciate the generosity of so many of my family, friends and colleagues.
“Both groups were delighted that I’d been able to raise so much money and were pleasantly surprised as I hadn’t told them until I finished the races and arranged to hand over the cheques.
“I decided to do the five 10ks as it was my 50th birthday in February and I preferred to ask friends and workmates to sponsor me rather than give me any birthday gifts.
“I also wanted to prove that I could still run despite my advancing years.”
David added: “I have been running two or three times a week on a regular basis on my own but not in any competitive races so this made sure there was an incentive and end goal for my training.
“It was a great experience to run in different parts of the country in races of all types, ranging from one with 2138 runners in the Glasgow Men’s 10k to one with 140 runners at Monifieth High School 10k.
“I was very pleased with my times, with my personal best being in my final race at Cumbernauld of 43.59 seconds and my slowest being at Monifieth in 46.08.
“I’ll be carrying on running now that the races are finished.”
Both groups were delighted that I had been able to raise so much money