Inspirational UK runner jogs into Castlehill to encourage pupils
A YOUNG runner who is half way through a marathon fundraising journey around the entire coast of the UK took a pit stop in Campbeltown to speak to aspiring pupils. Elise Downing, 24, talked to P5 and P6 children at Castlehill about her journey to encourage them to continue their mile-a-day challenge, in which they have clocked up 160 miles themselves.
Challenge
Elise, from Northampton, set out on her 5,000-mile challenge on November 1 last year, and has currently run around 3,000 miles as she arrived in Kintyre.
She said: ‘I have always liked the idea of a big physical challenge in the UK, as we have so many amazing places close to home.
‘I am raising money for Young Minds, a charity which focuses on young people with mental health problems.
‘I am averaging 20 miles a day, with a rest day every week and, luckily, I have not encountered any major injuries just yet.’
A graduate from Plymouth in English literature, Elise has raised more than £3,500 so far and is looking forward to seeing the north of Scotland next as she runs from Campbeltown up the west coast of the country to Carradale, Tarbert and up towards Fort William.
She said: ‘I got lost one mile from home on a preparation run, so I would not say I have the best sense of direction, but I have managed OK so far.
Great
‘What the kids are doing here is great, and I hope that English schools will look into the scheme as well.’
You can sponsor Elise’s journey at: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/donate/ makeDonationForFundraiserDisplay.action?fundraiserActivityId=639769.