Marathon challenge
Charity champ Scott and guide Jim all ready for city’s big event
Charity champion Scott Cunningham, from Larkhall, will take part in the London marathon this Sunday to raise funds for the charity Guide Dogs .
Scott, who is blind, will be guided by his friend Jim Kirk while his guide dog Milo will wait for him at the finish line.
Larkhall charity champion Scott Cunningham is gearing up for the biggest challenge of his life as he counts down the days until the London Marathon.
He will take part in the race this Sunday, April 23, to raise funds for the charity Guide Dogs with his friend Jim Kirk guiding him – while his own beloved guide dog Milo waits for him at the finish line.
The 46-year-old, who lost his sight suddenly at the age of 23, has raised over £270,000 for Guide Dogs and was awarded an MBE in 2011 for his services to fundraising. He is the only blind runner from Scotland racing in Team Guide Dogs this year.
Scott explained: “Training for the London Marathon has been an amazing adventure, especially since Jim and I had never run before in our lives. I didn’t even own a pair of trainers until October of last year.
“The buzz of running blind is out of this world. Jim and I are tethered together using a rope and our technique has improved massively since those first days of last summer when we only ran for a few hundred metres at a time.
“Completing London will be a tremendous personal achievement, and knowing we are raising money for Guide Dogs to help change someone’s life is what keep us both going when things get tough.
“The encouragement and support from our families and friends has been terrific. It’s been fantastic to hear cheers as we run along the streets of Larkhall.
“I can’t wait to run along The Mall to reach that famous finish line and be greeted by my fiancée Shelly, Jim’s wife Jill and, of course, my loyal and trusted guide dog Milo.”
Jim said: “This is probably the toughest challenge of both our lives and I’m so proud of Scott. He keeps me motivated and is a true inspiration to all.”
Tammy Robinson, community fundraiser for Guide Dogs, said: “Scott and Jim are inspirational and we are so grateful for their support. Guide Dogs relies on donations and, without people like them, we wouldn’t be able to carry out our life-changing work.”
You can support Scott and Jim’s London Marathon efforts via the Virgin Money Giving page at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/milosmuckers. So far they have raised £2395, smashing their £2000 target.