A group of Dundee runners are to compete in the Dundee Half Marathon in memory of a toddler who tragically died after being knocked down.
The Kirkton men aim to raise funds for Harlow’s Helping Hand, a charity set up by the two-year-old Harlow Edwards’ parents after her death on the Coupar Angus Road last October.
In the running team are Craig McCabe, Andy McDermott, David McDermott, Scott Connelly, Drew Murdoch, Paul Michael Boyle, Mark Henderson and Michael Craig.
Craig said: “A group of us from the Kirkton area have started running regularly over the last two years and have entered several half marathons.
“Together as a team we have decided to to raise funds for the charity, Harlow’s Helping Hand.
“The charity was launched in memory of Harlow by her parents, Sara and Steven Edwards, to help bereaved parents who have lost a young child – the charity helps provide support for funeral and headstone costs to ease some of the stress that these families suffer.
“We specifically chose this charity as Harlow’s father was originally from the Kirkton area and has been friends with some of the runners since childhood.
“Some of the runners in our team are in their mid-forties and up until two years ago the furthest they had ran was to catch a bus, now they are fitter and faster than guys half their age.
“We now have an overall goal of completing 100 half marathons and if we can raise awareness and some funds along the way for causes that are close to us then all the better.”
Craig first started running after his dog Brasco, a Staffordshire terrier, was put to sleep.
He added: “After walking him three to four times a day for many years the running was very therapeutic for me.
“Having trained under Paul Kean at Skyaxe for over 16 years and leaving the club at the peak of fitness, the transition to running long distances was easy for me and within weeks of leaving the club I had entered the Dundee full marathon to run for a Staffie Rescue in memory of my dog.
“The following year I ran over 150 miles for Staffie Rescues and raised £1200.”
To support the team visit www.youcaring.com/harlowshelpinghand-848862.
