A former Marine with 45 Commando is taking on the challenge of his first half marathon to raise funds for Alzheimer Scotland.
Reg Hunter, 64, of Arbroath is running the Great North Run in September in memory of his parents, Maureen and Reg, who both suffered from the illness.
He saw first-hand the care they required so is raising much-needed funds to help those battling the condition.
Reg was based at RM Condor for 11 years.
After his initial training to become a Marine he completed his chef’s training, going on to work as a catering manager offshore.
Latterly he worked in First Steps Nursery in Montrose and Seaton Estate at Arbroath until he retired in January.
He will be joined by his running partner Angie Watson, 51, a care worker for the elderly, who worked with Reg at Seaton Estate.
The pair have been training for the last few months for the Great North Run, recognised as the largest half marathon in the world.
It takes place on Sunday September 9, starting in Newcastle city centre and ending on the coast in South Shields.
Reg completed the Couch to 5K with the Arbroath Footers and has received regular coaching from Chris Fleming and Sheena Caesar at the Empire Health and Fitness Gym.
He said: “My parents passed away a couple of years ago in Southampton from Alzheimers.
“I wanted to give something back to the people who helped so I ran a 5k and raised £1,200 for the Alzheimers Society.
“That money was sent down south so I wanted to do something else to help a local charity.
“I’m 65 when I take part so I think I will be one of the oldest people racing.
“It definitely won’t be easy but I did a 10k yesterday in one hour so that works out about 10 minutes per mile.
“If I can do that for 13 miles I’ll be happy.
“I’d love to raise £2,000 because I managed £1,200 the last time and that was just through friends and colleagues but this time I’m doing a raffle too.
“Every penny is put to good to help the people that can’t help themselves.”
Reg has set up a Just-giving page for donations and is running a raffle for a large toy monkey.
He has been selling raffle tickets at local events, and is holding a car boot sale on Sunday at the Arbroath Victoria Football Club’s Ogilvy Park from 9am-1pm.
The raffle will be drawn at Alzheimer Scotland’s tea and chat session at its Angus services’ office in Arbroath on Tuesday.
Alzheimer Scotland offers care, information and support to people with dementia and carers in Scotland.
Its services include a 24 hour freephone dementia helpline, dementia advisors, nurses and medical research.
To support Reg and Angie’s efforts visit his Just-Giving page on
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/reg-hunter1953
