A Perthshire man is running the London Marathon for a “special” charity which has helped his four-year-old disabled niece gain access to sport.
Stuart Fraser is taking on the mission in order to raise cash for Perth and Kinross Disability Sport, which has helped countless children, including his niece, Maisie, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy.
The charity specialises in improving access to sport for children with physical, learning or sensory disabilities.
Stuart was given a gruelling fitness assessment by sport and exercise lecturer Marie Clare Grant at Dundee’s Abertay University before the April 23 marathon, after which he was deemed to be in “excellent” condition.
Stuart, who works as a store manager at the Co-op in Aberfeldy, said the charity is close to his heart because of the work it does to help his niece, who was at Abertay alongside mum Stephane, to watch him put through his paces.
“On hearing about the opportunity to support PKDS through running the London Marathon, I leapt at the chance,” he said.
“I wanted to help out with fund raising for a local charity which supports so many youths in our area with physical, learning or sensory disabilities.
“To be able to help raise awareness of what PKDS does directly in our communities and to help continue this work for our local kids is a great opportunity.”
Stuart, a member of Perth Road Runners club, said the London Marathon was “by far” the biggest challenge he had ever taken on.
“I will have to run further and train more than I have ever done before but supporting this charity is particularly special to me because of my niece.
“Maisie, like so many other kids in our area, has benefited — and will continue to benefit — from the amazing work that PKDS do.
“Without funding this couldn’t continue so this is where taking on a huge personal challenge and raising money for a charity that is so close to home will make it even more rewarding.”
Caroline Ness, the charity’s branch project manager, said she hopes exposure from Stuart’s mission will help with gaining more volunteers and participants.
“Many of those who could take part in our events and activities don’t realise that it is for them.
“We sometimes struggle for participants when there are so many people out there.
“But we can use the opportunity from Stuart’s efforts to raise awareness of the charity and help us get more donations from his fundraiser.”
To donate to Stuart’s fundraiser, visit
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=StuartFraser5&faId=790239&isTeam=false
