Stephen puts in the legwork for sake of residential care services

A charity boss is running rings round his Perthshire village as part of a marathon lockdown challenge.

Stephen Coulter, who leads one of the country’s biggest sight-loss charities, is racing round Muthill, near Crieff, to support residential care services.

The 53-year-old is running 2.6 miles a day over the next 10 days.

“It isn’t that far to run as a oneoff, but 10 days in a row – I’ve never attempted that before,” said Stephen, who is a director at Edinburgh-based Royal Blind which runs services for people with sight loss of all ages.

“I’m going to attempt a different route every day and share short videos of the beautiful countryside around my village of Muthill.

“I’m looking forward to visiting important landmarks including our now famous telephone box, which is being used as a food larder.”

Stephen, who has been working

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I’m looking forward to visiting important landmarks including our now famous telephone box, which is being used as a food larder

from home since the lockdown, said his charity is raising funds to support five residential care services that remain open during the pandemic.

“It has been a challenging few weeks,” he said.

“However, thanks to those who have donated funds, sent food to our key workers, donated hand sanitisers and made face shields for our key workers, we have been able to ensure our residents in our care homes are receiving the best care possible.”

At the same time, Royal Blind chief executive Mark O’donnell is also raising funds using a rowing machine in his living room.

He is rowing 26,000 strokes over 26 days – the equivalent of rowing from Leith to Kirkcaldy.

“Our key workers are inspired by the huge outpouring of public goodwill and support they are receiving,” he said.

Donations can be made to the two fundraisers at the Just Giving website.

Tayside youngsters taking part in a lockdown racquet sports challenge have smashed it online with their Andy Murray-inspired effort. In what has also become a tribute to one of their pals who tragically lost her battle with cancer in January at the age of just six, Racquet Buddies have been tackling two-time Wimbledon champion Murray’s 100 volley challenge. The children were set the task by businesswoman Hayley Donnelly, a former Scotland senior level badminton player, who set up the business seven years ago to develop racquet sport skills among children. Hayley’s video showcasing the children’s talents – the youngest just two years old – has been viewed more the 10,000 times since its release just a few days ago. It is also a poignant tribute to Racquet Buddy Ruby Stewart from Inchture, who lost her fight against cancer at the beginning of January.

Lewis Manzie has adapted his Scout activities to lockdown.