Keen runner Katherine Harrison was disappointed when running events were cancelled during the pandemic. But the accountant soon figured out an alternative…doing her own, epic run to raise money for Sense Scotland.
The 42-year-old will run 35 miles over the Three Lochs Way, starting at Balloch and finishing at Inveruglas on Saturday 17th October. This ‘ultramarathon’ is part of the charity’s #35waysin35days fundraising campaign and she hopes to raise at least £350.
Katherine works as Head of Management Accounting for Sense Scotland and is based at TouchBase Glasgow, the charity’s community hub which offers access to expressive arts, music and drama.
The Glasgow woman says: “As someone who works in the Finance department I literally know where the money goes – to support disabled children and adults across Scotland. I see the quality care people receive from my colleagues and am delighted to be doing something to support that in my own small way.”
She added: “I run most days – super slow but I really enjoy it. Running helps me manage my asthma and was a huge part of my social life pre-lockdown. I was training for some big events this year. When they were cancelled, and it became obvious Sense Scotland would lose some income through the pandemic, I decided to do this personal challenge.
“I’ve run long distances before, the furthest being the 73-mile Great Glen Way, but not in a while. It will be difficult, but worth every step.”
Jen Niven, Head of Fundraising at Sense Scotland, said: “We are so grateful to Katherine for putting herself through this. Like everything she does for us it’s a very calculated response to our plea for help.”
Sense Scotland is celebrating its 35th birthday with a number of socially distanced initiatives. It is urging others to follow in Katherine’s footsteps by taking part in their fundraising events, to ensure it continues to make a difference for children, young people and adults with disabilities for the next 35 years.
Jen Niven, Head of Fundraising, explained: “Supporters can undertake any challenge that involves the numbers 3.5 or 35 – for example they can run 3.5 kilometres, bake 35 cakes, or draw 350 pictures, as creative as they like. We’d love people to get creative and get involved.”
Support Katherine and raise vital funds for Sense Scotland through her JustGiving page.
