Sister inspires Lanarkshire Group Commander to run London Marathon
David Haggerty is taking on the 26.2 mile London Marathon on Sunday, 27 April.
A Group Commander based in Lanarkshire is soon to be swapping his firefighting PPE for running gear, as he takes on the London Marathon at the end of the month.
David Haggerty, who is situated at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Lanarkshire HQ in Motherwell, is taking on the challenge for a children’s charity, after being inspired by his sister.
David’s sister, 54-year-old Linzie, has been a wheelchair user her entire life, and has relied on access to specialist wheelchairs and equipment.
David has therefore decided to run the marathon for Whizz Kidz, which provides wheelchairs and equipment to children who need it to help improve their lives.
He has completed four marathons in the past, but this one is particularly special.
David said: “Linzie’s personal experience of her difficulties and her herself are the inspiration and reason for choosing to fundraise for this charity.
“The training this time is different. The first four times, I had no partner or children and worked four on, four off. I was also in my thirties, not nearing 50.”
David admits training for the marathon this time around has been quite different, as he is now on call.
On call firefighters respond to emergencies from their homes or workplaces. They are not on duty at the fire station, but are available to respond when called or alerted by a pager.
He continued: “Being on call has meant 20 mile runs on a treadmill and that is one war of attrition, but I’ve got there and hopefully it’ll help.”
Ahead of the challenge, David has set himself a goal of when he would like to complete the race by.
He said: “Ideally, I’d like to complete the marathon in around 4 to 4 and a half hours.”
Donations can be made on David’s JustGiving page.