Bereaved mum pledges to raise £1,000 for each year her son lived

A Fife mother is using the memory of her late son to motivate her ahead of this year’s Great North Run.

Adam McKnight died last year at the age of 28 after failing to recover from a cardiac arrest.

Since then his mother, Linda Thomson, has devoted her time to raising funds for the British Heart Foundation, a campaign that will see her run in September’s half marathon from Newcastle to South Shields.

In a month that sees Mrs Thomson turn 50 and what would have been Adam’s 30th birthday, she said the sudden death of her son had prompted her to raise awareness of heart health.

“Nothing will ever change the pain we feel from our loss and there are no words we have found which can express our sorrow,” she said.

“However, if my family and I can raise awareness on how sudden death from heart disease impacts those left behind, to help change society’s attitudes towards such tragedies, then I will continue to support the work and intentions of British Heart Foundation.

“With the support of my wonderful family and caring friends, I am determined to raise £28,000 – £1,000 for each of the 28 short years of Adam’s life.”

Linda’s efforts have taken her across the country, having already competed in running events in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester and London.

She also intends to take her fundraising campaign across the pond, having signed up to participate in the New York Marathon in November.

You can support the efforts at www. justgiving.com/fundraising/lindathomson10.

Linda Thomson, competing in Manchester, is raising money in her son’s memory.