Local councillor Lewis Ritchie is running the Loch Ness marathon to raise £1,500 in order to buy a defibrillator, which he intends to gift to an organisation or community project based in Leith Walk.
The move is part of a St John Scotland initiative which is encouraging businesses and other benefactors to purchase defibrillators and then donate them to a series of hosts in strategic locations throughout the capital.
The 26-mile Highland course is famed in the running community both for its stunning scenery as well as the gruelling series of ascents which kick in around the 20th mile. However, despite the challenging nature of the run, Councillor Ritchie remains upbeat.
He said: “Its been a long time since I have run anything like this kind of distance and I know it won’t be easy, but after learning about this project and thinking about all the lives that might be saved, I am totally committed to getting over the finishing line.
“Heart attacks claim far too many lives in Scotland, yet many of these deaths could be prevented if there were more defibrillators within easy reach. This is a fantastic project by St John Scotland which will allow me to give something back to the local community that I am so proud to represent.”
Lewis has set up a page on a donations website and is hoping local people will come forward and give what they can to help make his ambition to provide Leith with a defibrillator a reality.
More information about the project and where to donate can be accessed here.
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