A GALASHIELS man is running through a dozen towns for a fundraiser in memory of his late sister.
Craig Lowrie, 42, challenged himself to complete 10km in each town during the common riding season.
Mr Lowrie is dedicating his efforts to his late sister Donna Cameron, who died in a car crash on June 4, 2019.
The keen amateur footballer said: "The money that I raise in my sister's memory will be split between common riding committees across the Borders, with donors choosing which town's festival their money will go towards."
Mr Lowrie’s son was the Braw Lad in Galashiels last year – and now Mr Lowrie is running through each town that Robbie visited.
"My sister loved the common riding season, and was so proud and excited for Robbie ahead of the big day last year,” said Mr Lowrie.
"Sadly, she died just a few weeks before and didn’t get the chance to watch her nephew carry out his duties."
Donations will help common riding committees make up for not being able to hold fundraisers due to the coronavirus pandemic, says Mr Lowrie.
However, if donors prefer, they can ask for their money to go to the children's ward at the Borders General Hospital (BGH) – another cause close to Mr Lowrie’s heart.
He said: "The staff in ward 15 were fantastic with my daughter Jorga, who had a number of blood transfusions during the first six years of her life, due to having a rare blood disorder.
"Thankfully, she is well on the road to recovery, and we’re very grateful to all the staff in the ward. It's great to be able to give something back."
Mr Lowrie, who plays football for Selkirk Victoria AFC, has already gone the distance in Hawick, Selkirk and Melrose – and will arrive in Peebles tomorrow (June 17).
His online GoFundMe campaign has proved a success over the last few weeks.
A total of £2,215 has been donated by 103 people [as at 11.59am, June 16], and the fundraiser has been shared 565 times on social media.
"The majority of money so far has been donated to either ward 15 at the BGH or the Braw Lads’ Gathering committee of Galashiels," said Mr Lowrie.
"I'm keen to raise as much awareness as possible for the cause so that other towns can benefit too."
Other towns on the list are Jedburgh, Duns, Innerleithen, Kelso, Musselburgh, Lauder and Coldstream.
And on June 27, Mr Lowrie will run 10km in Galashiels, one year after Robbie led proceedings.
He said: "Hopefully, I'll be able to get some sort of [socially distanced] crowd to cheer me on as I'm going up Scott Street, where the horses would normally go.
"I'm trying to convince Robbie to join me for a part of it, but he's not agreed to anything yet."
Although Innerleithen does not have a common riding, they do have a games week in July.
And as Donna lived much of her life there, Mr Lowrie thought it would be fitting for the town's festival to be able to benefit.
He said: "I've been blown away with people's generosity.
"I'd like to say a big thank you as well to local companies – including Tesco in Galashiels, who donated blister packs, water and Haribos.
"The blister packs will definitely be needed, as I've been running in the same pair of shoes for months and one of the toes has worn away!”
Details of the fundraiser can be found here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here