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Joe running a Tay Bridge marathon for Shelter

Joe Murphy will soon be very familiar with every inch of the Tay Road Bridge.
Joe Murphy will soon be very familiar with every inch of the Tay Road Bridge.

Christmas Day normally conjures up scenes of presents, tables piled high with food and sitting in front of the TV.

Not for one Dundee man, however, who is planning to spend his Christmas running a marathon back and forth across the Tay Road Bridge to raise money for housing charity Shelter.

Offshore worker Joe Murphy, who is originally from Cumbria, has already completed a marathon around his rig, raising £3,000 for War Child with the Rig Run in October.

Now he is hoping to keep his fundraising efforts going with his Christmas Day venture.

“I came home after Rig Run and did nothing for three weeks,” he said. “A news article appeared on my Facebook from Shelter saying 80,000 children are facing homelessness this Christmas.

“It just broke my heart. I’ve always been aware of certain social injustices and it didn’t sit too well with me.

“Just shortly after I found out my gran, Laura Gomez, had died.”

Joe’s gran, affectionately known as Muds, had a family of 15 and always took in anyone in need.

“She was a very influential person so I’m dedicating the marathon to her,” he said.

Joe completed Rig Run in four hours 36 minutes and is feeling confident about his festive feat.

“The easy part last time was actually running the marathon,” he said.

“The hard part was getting interest. I streamed it live over the internet.

“I’m thinking this one will be a bit boring going back and forth across the bridge but it’s a focal point and people can come down in the morning and donate money or leave gifts.”

As well as taking on the marathon, Joe is also planning to hold a Christmas dinner in the Mark Henderson Centre on Ann Street for those who cannot afford their own meal.

“I’ve got a few guys who have come forward offering food, but what would be ideal would be to get a corporate sponsor to provide the meal,” he said.

“I want this to be a yearly event. I also want to open up Rig Run to the North Sea in general.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Joe’s run can do so at justgiving.com/The-Rig-Runner.