Moray mortal champions MFR Cash for Kids by running 5k a day as superhero throughout September
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A MERE mortal from Fochabers is a true superhero after running 5k every day in September dressed as comic-book characters to champion a children's charity.
Stuart Smith (30), who swooped into villages and towns all over Moray for the runs in superhero guises, has raised more than £600 for MFR Cash for Kids.
The bricklayer and oil and gas worker is also owner of local children's entertainment company, Hero for Hire.
His original mission was to raise £250 for Dan & Grace's 5k a Day to support MFR Cash for Kids in the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire. The charity aims to make a difference to local children and young people by alleviating poverty, supporting disability and improving quality of life.
Stuart said the response to his charity challenge had been "unbelievable".
When he darted through Keith as Captain America he found himself alongside a group of around 30 young running companions. He also attracted followers on his runs through Buckie and Elgin.
For his first outing Stuart set off as the Black Panther in his home village. And yesterday he picked up his son, Macaulay, from nursery in Fochabers as Captain America before setting off on his last lap.
He said: "It's all been a bit doom and gloom for kids recently.
"I wanted to give something back to the community, and this way I got to dress up as a superhero and raise cash and awareness for MFR Cash for Kids.
"It's been great to see young – and older – faces light up when I've appeared with a cape and shield."
Despite suffering a knee injury mid-month, Stuart pressed on with the challenge.
As Captain America and the Black Panther Stuart met Elgin fans on the High Street and on top of Lady Hill, he posed for photos with fans at The Cullen Ice Cream Shop as the Black Panther, and as Spider-Man he encouraged a few Hopeman locals to donate to the cause.
He added: "I always stay in character and interact with onlookers. It's just been great fun."
Four-year-old Macaulay paired up with his dad on occasion, travelling alongside in his Batmobile. Stuart said: "He wouldn't even give me a lift."
Although used to running around eight to 10 miles a day, Stuart has found being a superhero a lot more challenging. He said: "Running in bulky costumes, with no running shoes and carrying shields and hammers brought a whole new dynamic to the runs – it was so much harder. And I'm follically challenged so wearing the Thor long, blonde wig was hard.
"Three and a half miles seems a lot farther when you do it wearing a mask."
Lyndsay Rose, charity manager at MFR Cash for Kids, said: "We have loved following Stuart’s 5k a Day journey throughout September.
"It’s been so funny seeing Captain America in Spey Bay and Black Panther in Cullen.
"Not only has he been entertaining but he’s also raised well over £600 for MFR Cash for Kids, which is just amazing.
"We’ve had over 150 people taking part in Dan & Grace’s 5k a Day and collectively they have raised over £20,000 to support children in the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire."
Visit Stuart's MFR Cash for Kids fundraising page here .
