Garden ‘gnome’ is on move for good cause

Kinross-shire grandfather Alan Harper has taken on an unusual charity challenge in aid of a child bereavement group close to his family’s heart.

The 76-year-old has agreed to walk at least 40 miles around his garden, dressed as a gnome.

An elder at Fossoway St Serf’s and Deveronside Church, he has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is on the shielded list. It means he has been confined to his house and garden in Crook of Devon since lockdown began.

He said he is not allowed to go out for a walk. Instead he is walking around his garden 20 times each day for at least 20 days.

“That’s two miles – or 113,700 steps – over 20 days and I am now into my eighth day.”

So far Mr Harper, who is affectionately known as Gnomey, has made more than £1,500 for Richmond’s Hope, a charity that supports thousands of children and young people who have suffered the loss of a parent.

“It’s very humbling,” he said. “People said they would double their donation if I dress up as a gnome and they see a picture of me.”

Mr Harper said his Church of Scotland minister son, Rev Dan Harper, and his friends gave him the nickname the Gnome many years ago, on account of how he looked one day while cleaning out the garden pond.

His granddaughter Zoe now calls him Gnomey.

The retired accountant said: “A family friend died recently and left behind his wife and six-yearold daughter, who is supported by Richmond’s House, so we just feel as a family that it is a charity that is very close to home.”

He added: “A lot of people are going to need counselling because they won’t have been able to be with their loved ones when they died, and they won’t be able to attend funerals.”