Scottish Lib Dem leader on the run... for charity

fundraising: MSP takes on the equivalent of four full marathons over Easter weekend

North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie has set off on a marathon run for charity.

The Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader has little time to take in the spectacular views from Fife coastal path as he pounds the coastal path to rack up pounds for the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).

He set off from Kincardine yesterday and is attempting to complete all 117 miles of the path over the Easter weekend, finishing at Newburgh on Easter Monday.

The 50-year-old keen runner said he had taken on the challenge – the equivalent to more than four full marathons – because of the work SAMH does.

Before starting off on a cold and dreich Fife morning, he said: “I’m doing it to raise money for the great mental health charity SAMH. I’ve seen the fantastic work they do for so many people across the country, but they need more money to help more people.

“Across Scotland hundreds of vulnerable people are struggling to cope with issues including eating disorders, anxiety, depression and bullying.

“SAMH do absolutely vital work in supporting them.”

He was keeping a steady pace yesterday as he passed Rosyth dockyard and the world-famous Forth Bridges, but early afternoon saw him caught in a “Scottish tropical downpour”.

Despite that, the Dunfermline Carnegie Harriers runner’s smile never faltered on his regular tweets under the hashtag #RunRennieRun.

Mr Rennie, who has also competed in the annual Scottish Coal Carrying championships held in Kelty, had aimed for a target of raising £2,000 for the organisation.

But even before he donned his running gear, donations had topped the £5,000 mark.

He is doing it for SAMH which operates more than 60 services in communities across Scotland.

These services, together with its national programme work informs its policy and campaign work to influence positive social change.

Yesterday saw Mr Rennie pass through west Fife, ending up in Buckhaven and today he is tackling the central Fife stretch of the path.

Picture: Wullie Marr. Willie Rennie MSP runs accompanied by his son near the Forth Bridge.

Mr Rennie is attempting to run the 117-mile Fife coastal path.