MARK Kirkham has pledged to keep on running even after he crossed the finishing line in Sunday’s Paisley 10k Race, tomorrow. (Sunday, August 18)
The exiled Paisley Buddie returns to his home town in a bid to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
But his lung-bursting efforts won’t stop there, as he aims to complete an amazing 50 10k races during his 50th year to raise £50,000 for the charity.
Mark who turned 50 in May, lives in Pembrokeshire, Wales and the Paisley 10k is race number 16 in his year-long bid to give the charity a good run for their money.
The former Sacred Heart pupil, who grew up in Ferguslie and Dykebar areas of the town, decided to raise money for the charity after they helped both his mum, Maura and dad, Billy before they sadly died from cancer several years ago.
Mark said: “I’ve wanted to do something to say thanks to Macmillan Cancer Support for being there for both my parents in the last stage of their lives.
“The charity provided support and comfort, not just for my mum and dad, but also for my family during these times and beyond.
“They gave us all kinds of support from physically helping, giving advice to access other forms of support, right down to offering a shoulder to cry on.”
And he revealed it was a 50th birthday gift from his sister, Sharon that led to him travelling the 300 miles to take part in the Paisley 10k.
“Sharon bought me a ticket to see The Cure when they play Glasgow this Friday.|” he explains. “And when I discovered that the Paisley 10k was only two days later, I thought I would include the Paisley 10k as one of my 50 races.
“I only moved to Wales four years ago, so I know the 10k Race course very well and I hope to complete the run in around 50 minutes.”
Renfrewshire Leisure is organising the Paisley 10k and Fun Run, which has the Armed Forces veterans’ charity, Erskine as the official charity partner.
Mark will be joined in the race by Paisley Buddies, Elaine Allan, Craig Corbett and Alan Coombes, who are also raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
And if anyone would like to sponsor Mark, they can pledge money on his JustGiving Pagewww.justgiving.com/fundraising/50at50for50 .