The Sunday Post: Hospice News

Not even a dog bite
could stop Elaine

By Kirsten Gray

ELAINE STEWART was one of 10 Edinburgh-based Standard Life workers who volunteered to run the Edinburgh Marathon to raise money for our CHAS appeal.

Despite completing the race in a good time, there was a point when she thought she might not even start — never mind finish!

“I had missed three months of training due to injury,” Elaine said.

“Then, only 12 days before the race, I was bitten by a dog while out training.

“I was beginning to wonder if I’d ever make it to the starting line.

“The run wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be, though.

On their marks . . . from left, Phil Hay, Elaine Stewart, David Cumming and Scott Innes.

“The humour and support of the crowd and competitors made it a really fun day and the knowledge that I was raising money for a really worthwhile cause gave me the incentive to keep going.”

In fact, all 10 Standard Life competitors — Scott Innes, Neil Gibson, Neil Irvine, Derek Cummings, David Cumming, Mark Dennyson, Michael Wollanston, Phil Hay, Iain Montgomery and, of course, Elaine — completed the marathon.

Fastest was Scott Innes, with a time of 3 hours 17 minutes, giving him an overall placing of 108th.

Together the group raised a runaway Ł7890.

Another runner, Neil Irvine said, “I completed the run in 3 hours 46 minutes and didn’t walk once, which I’m really pleased about.

“I have three young children who mean the world to me and I wanted to do my bit to help children with terminal illnesses and their families, so I was proud to run for CHAS.”

You can e-mail us at: hospice@sundaypost.com