An Aberdeen University careers adviser has committed herself to running 12 marathons in as many months to raise money for a north-east neonatal unit.
Kate Robertson, who has worked at the university for seven years, is planning to tackle the endurance challenges in recognition of a child who has been treated by the unit.
She was inspired to take on the endeavour by her own daughter, Emily, now aged seven, who had breathing difficulties shortly after her birth.
She was treated in the neonatal unit and was soon well enough to return home with her family, but it opened Ms Robertson’s eyes to the work done by Friends of the Neonatal Unit, run by the Archie Foundation, and she is hoping to raise £3,000 for the charity.
She completed the Malaga marathon in December to kick off her challenge, which will conclude with the New York Marathon in November 2020.
Next month, she will run the Doha marathon in Qatar as part of a visit to the university’s Qatar campus to offer careers advice and support to its students.
Ms Robertson said: “I’m a keen runner and a member of Stonehaven running club, but this is going to be a real test.
“I have run 25 marathons in total, so I know what I’m letting myself in for, but that has taken me 21 years to achieve, so to fit 12 into just a year is going to be tough.
“I will have to plan my recovery time carefully but I’m hopeful I’ll achieve my goal.”
Emily and her older brother, Oliver, will also be joining in the fundraising by taking on a 5km obstacle race and a two-peaks challenge to reach the top of two Munros.
Ms Robertson added: “Thankfully, Emily was only in the neonatal unit for three days, but it was still a very stressful time. For many families, the experience is much more difficult and I wanted to give something back.”
She is looking for the names of children treated by the special care baby unit to run in their honour throughout the next year.
To support her, visit
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/robertsonfundraising
