Inverurie Locos 48-hour running challenge raises £10k total for Cancer Research UK
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Inverurie Locos have presented £10,000 to Cancer Research UK which was raised from the team's mammoth 48-hour running challenge.
It saw players, coaching staff, committee members and others connected to the club participate in the event by running in allocated hour slots over the last weekend in May.
It followed on from the team's 24-hour challenge last year which raised more than £6500 for the NHS, MND Association, Northsound Cash for Kids and Befriend a Child and it saw other clubs across the north-east organise their own versions during lockdown.
This year's event has seen the money collected being donated solely to Cancer Research UK in memory of former club secretary Gordon Park father of assistant manager Steven Park; supporter Hugh Simpson step dad of player Greg Mitchell and for a family member of player Ryan Broadhurst undergoing cancer treatment.
The team's assistant manager Steven Park said: "We would like to thank everyone who donated towards Cancer Research UK. The £10,000 that was raised was way above our expectations for the weekend, your generosity is appreciated.
"We would also like to thank the Cancer Research team who supported us throughout the fundraising and all the players, management and committee for giving up their time to see this 48 hours challenge through. It was an excellent effort by everyone involved.
"Let’s hope this money can support researchers to get a step closer to finding a cure for this terrible disease which affects so many families.”
Participants were allocated hour slots and were challenged to run as far as they could in that time.
The team also had some guest runners taking part including fan Neil Skene, who is blind and does a lot of charity work.
Greg Mitchell's grandad, Johnny McKay, who is recovering from a stroke, managed to participate by walking round the Bennachie View Care Home garden in support of the fundraiser.
The collective distance ran over the two days stretched from the centre circle at Harlaw Park to the playing surface of the FA Cup winners Leicester City's King Power Stadium.
Cancer Research UK's Emma Stephen said: "I was overwhelmed by the phenomenal £10,000 raised by the Inverurie Locos team during such tough times for CRUK and all charitable organisations.
"This money will go towards vital research within Scotland to help achieve the charity's goals of improving treatments and increasing survival rates over the coming years.
"We truly appreciate all fundraising and are so thankful for the team's support.
"It is a massive thank you to all the players, coaches and management of Inverurie Locos FC for their support, determination and drive to complete this challenge and a huge well done to each and everyone of them."
