Pub owners’ son on the run for charity
Slaters worker pounds the streets for Whiteleys
A dedicatecd volunteer is going the extra distance for charity this month as he aims to run 5k each day.
Declyn Cooper, of Kintyre Avenue, Ayr, is pounding the pavements for Whiteleys after he spent months helping out at their retreat.
Spurred on by the charities inspiring respite services for children, the former Ayr United Football Academy coach wanted to raise cash after being told of the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on fundraising.
Setting out each day through freezing conditions, Declyn, who works as a buyer for Slaters Ayr and the firm’s HQ in Glasgow, is now a man on a mission and well on his way to smashing a target of £ 500 for the cause.
Declyn, 30, whose parents Raymond and Serena Cooper own the Golf Inn in Prestwick, told the Post: “I didn’t realise how big a challenge it would be until I started running each day in a row. I started to volunteer for Whiteleys back during the spring last year when we first went into lockdown.
“I’d wanted to help out there for ages; I just thought I could put myself forward as an extra pair of hands to tidy the place up. From speaking to Maxine I found out how Covid is going to affect fundraising.
“I was running a lot at the time so it gave me an idea of what I can do to challenge myself and to raise money.”
Determined to start the year off in the right way, Declyn, who is engaged to his fiance Allanah, embarked on the month- long running challenge.
By January 31 he will have completed 155km- nearly 100 miles and the equivalent of five marathons.
Each day Declyn is tracking his runs on his Instagram page, The Bearded Buyer, which is also the name of his clothing brand which he launched through lockdown.
And the buyer for clothing shop Slaters has noticed a real difference to his mental health whilst he is on furlough.
He added: “It is day five of the challenge, just another 26 to go, and I am feeling really good about it. I’ve never looked after myself so much.
“It is keeping me positive during these times with l o c k d own and being furloughed. It has been quite tricky with the ice but I am going out about 11am down near the beach, where it is less treacherous and the ice has melted more.”
Declyn admits he would love to finish off his challenge with a day 31 run to end at Whiteleys.
He added: “If that is something we could organise it would be a great way to finish it.”
You can donate to Declyn’s challenge here: https:// www. justgiving. com/ fundraising/ thebeardedbuyer