On the 2 September 2012, I ran the Great Scottish Run half marathon in Glasgow for the fourth consecutive year. Like previous years, I used the training to stay fit, lean(ish) and for the challenge and sense of achievement.
I also decided to raise money for Scottish Refugee Council because I want to live in a society that is welcoming, caring, and humane, and Scottish Refugee Council contributes greatly to Scotland being such a place.
Getting started
My preparations were a blend of training and organising my fundraising. Around six weeks before the race I began to think about how I would raise money. I had a gander at Scottish Refugee Council’s website and printed off the tips on fundraising and some sponsorship forms.
When I contacted Jamie McIntosh, Scottish Refugee Council’s brilliant Trust and Supporters Officer, he provided tailored advice on various things like gift aid and creating and personalising a funding webpage. He also sent me a Scottish Refugee Council t-shirt to wear for training and on the day of the race.
With my webpage set up and sponsorship forms at the ready, I began contacting people friends, family, acquaintances, to tell them about what I was doing. I let people know they could donate in person, by post, or online on my fundraising page. I was delighted with the response and I thoroughly recommend fundraising in this way.
1 hour 46 minutes and 9 seconds
And just how did everything go on the day? Really well. I managed to finish in 1 hour, 46 minutes and 9 seconds – a couple of minutes faster than last year.
The large crowds at George Square certainly spurred me on. I was delighted to see my brother, sister-in-law, and nieces cheering me on with their ‘Go Dunky’ banners. And at the finish-line it only seemed right to do the Mobot in honour of Mo Farah – still no shot of it in the Evening Times yet – but I can still hope.
Having completed the half marathon, I’m anticipating that arrangements will be made for me to parade around in Glasgow on an open-top bus. Failing that, the satisfaction that comes with completing the race and doing it for a great cause, is reward enough.
Thanks for the support
Thanks again to everyone for their support – financial or otherwise – and encouragement. And to all you would-be runners, I say do it, and if you can support a charity like Scottish Refugee Council, all the better.
