A north woman will take on the Loch Ness marathon in aid of a three-year-old boy who needs a life changing operation – just days after completing a 24 hour run from her home town to the Highland capital.
Lorna Stanger, 46, of Castlegreen Road, Thurso, set off on the 110-mile journey at midnight on Friday night and arrived in Inverness at 11.57pm on Saturday.
Despite this epic feat, she is already preparing to compete at Sunday’s event by the banks of Loch Ness.
Mrs Stanger is raising money for a boy who lives on her street, Kayden Gordon, whose family are trying to fund an £80,000 operation to help him to walk.
Kayden was just 15-months-old when diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebal palsy, a condition which tightens his muscles so much that he is unable to walk unaided or sit on the floor with his legs straight.
He currently moves with the aid of a walking frame and is able to drag himself around on his knees.
The family hope to take him to St Louis, Missouri, for a life changing operation which is only available to a limited extent in the UK.
But it is a race against time as the operation needs to be carried out within the next two years.
The family, with help from numerous fundraisers, have so far raised more than £30,000.
Mrs Stanger has raised more than £3,000 through her efforts so far.
The mother of four, who took up distance running four years ago, said: “I’m not feeling too bad after the run although a couple of my toes have blistered and my muscles are sore. It seems really surreal because I don’t know how I managed it.
“Kayden’s family were all there to meet me, including Kayden, which was wonderful. As I approached the finish I could see his green walking frame and little Kayden waving. I didn’t expect him to be there and it was really worth it.
“Hopefully my efforts are helping a bit to get him towards the surgery he needs.”
Anyone wishing to support Mrs Stanger and help Kayden can make a donation at
crowdfunding.justgiving.com/lorna-stanger