The training is well underway for two enthusiastic runners from the University of Aberdeen who are gearing up for a gruelling challenge next month which they hope will raise funds for worthy charities.
Kirsty McKnight, Assistant College Registrar, College of Physical Sciences and Peter Fantom, Deputy Head of Careers & Appointments Service, are taking part in the New York Marathon on Sunday, November 7, the 35 th anniversary of the world's most celebrated race.
The duo have both been training hard for the 26.2-mile (42 km) race through the streets of New York and will be raising funds for Cystic Fibrosis and Get Kids Going.
Kirsty is raising funds for Cystic Fibrosis, one of the UK's most common, life-threatening, inherited diseases. Cystic Fibrosis affects vital organs in the body, especially the lungs and digestive system, clogging them with sticky mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe and digest food. Each week three young lives are lost to Cystic Fibrosis. This year marks 40 years of achievement in fighting Cystic Fibrosis. The main accomplishments have been in scientific research and improved care of patients. These factors have led to a dramatic increase in life expectancy. In 1964 average life expectancy was just five years, a child born with CF today is likely to live to 31 years of age with many instances of people with CF living to 40 plus.
It is a charity very dear to Kirsty's heart. She said: “I am running to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis because my niece Hannah was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis shortly after being born last Christmas. Her rapid diagnosis was thanks, in part, to the campaigning work of the Trust.
“Hannah was able to start treatment within 4-5 weeks of being born and is doing well. However, at the moment her life expectancy is 30. I reached 30 this year - I am married, I have two small children, I am progressing in my job, and I've done some travelling but would like to do more. I have plans and dreams and I want her to have them too. In three days last week I read two obituaries for people aged 30 who had died of CF - both were happy, successful people and it just doesn't seem very fair. I want Hannah to have the very best quality of life possible for as long as possible and if I get a bit puffed out doing my training it's nothing compared to what she might have to live with as she grows up.”
Peter is raising funds for his charity, Get Kids Going! which provides personalised wheelchairs, trikes and other mobility aids for disabled children and young people to use at home, go to school and college and, more importantly, to become independent. Get Kids Going! also provides disabled children and youngsters with sports wheelchairs so they can participate in marathons, athletics, rugby, tennis, skiing and lots of other sports.
The pair are in the throes of raising funds and getting sponsors for them running in the event which will go a big way to helping these worthwhile charities.
Kirsty added: “My niece lives in East Lothian so there's not too much we can do practically for her or her parents so this is my way of saying that I support them and will do whatever I can for them. And at the same time it's also a good way of getting fit!”
Anyone interested in sponsoring the duo should contact Kirsty on: (01224) 272909 or Peter on: (01224) 273601.