Perthshire illustrator to run marathon in memory of friend

A Perthshire woman is preparing to run the London Marathon in memory of a school friend who passed away from leukaemia.

Katie Shiach, 32, from Craigend, aims to raise £2,000 by completing the run on April 23.

Although Katie’s friend, who she does not wish to name, had a stem cell transplant, this was not enough to save her life.

She said: “The news of my friend’s diagnosis was a big shock, as this is somebody who was in my earliest memories and who I had grown up with through primary school.

“She was great fun and our small group of friends was always up to something. Even though it’s been a long time since she passed I still think about her – at every landmark birthday or significant life event she and her family are in my thoughts.

“Remembering her inspires me to live life to the full and be thankful for each day.”

Ms Shiach, an illustrator, is raising money by selling two limited-edition print runs of her designs, featuring tongue-incheek character illustration and abstract pattern design.

“It’s been a fun wee process to get stuck in to and I hope that people will enjoy getting back a piece of handmade art in exchange for donating to a great cause,” she added.

Although she only took up running two years ago, Katie has already completed several running challenges, and has signed up for the Scottish Coast to Coast in September.

“I’ve always seized any opportunity to raise a bit of cash,” she said.

For more information visit https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/runkmg.