YOUNG dad is preparing to raise funds for charities by running from Ronald McDonald House Glasgow to the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.
Andrew Smith plans to start running at 7am this Saturday and reach his destination at around 7pm the following day to raise funds for The Archie Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Glasgow.
The 29-year-old is taking on the challenge in response to the support the two charities provided him and his partner, Nancie, following the premature birth of their son, Louie.
Being born in September 2023 at only 28 weeks, Louie was found to have an incredibly rare genetic condition which resulted in the first few months of his life being spent at hospitals in Aberdeen and Glasgow.
Both charities provided Andrew and Nancie with free accommodation so they could stay nearby.
Andrew stated: “It was invaluable being able to stay close to Louie, not having to think about it or make arrangements at a time when our thoughts were consumed with worry about our baby boy.
“It’s a debt I will never be able to repay.
“Running from Glasgow to Aberdeen combines one of my passions with raising as much money as possible for The Archie Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Glasgow.”
Through fundraising, Andrew has raised over £23,000 but is set on reaching his £50,000 target, with donations including £5,000 with Score Group, his employer.
He said: “I’m incredibly thankful to everyone who has either donated to my fundraiser or who has helped to raise awareness of what I am doing.
“As well as wanting to raise money for the charities I also want to ensure as many people as possible are aware of the support that the two charities provide – it made the world of difference to Nancie and I during a very difficult time.”
Although he was recently injured, Andrew is still ready to take on the challenge which is planned to be done in one go with no overnight stops, he plans to only take stops for food and micro naps at the side of the road.
He will be joined along the way by both friends and supports, Nancie and Louie, who is now doing well and home from the hospital, will be ready to greet Andrew at the finish line of his journey of around 165 miles.
He said: “Training has gone well and I’m counting down to the weekend and to pulling on my running shoes and actually taking on the challenge I have been working towards since I first came up with the idea while running along the River Clyde while Louie was in hospital.”
The Archie Foundation has the aim of supporting babies, children and families in healthcare and bereavement across North Scotland.
Paula Cormack, chief executive of The Archie Foundation, stated: “We are incredibly grateful to Andrew for taking on such an ambitious and amazing fundraising challenge.
“Our share of the proceeds will go directly to supporting other babies, children and their families at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and the neonatal unit where Louie has been cared for.”
Ronald McDonald House Glasgow provides free accommodation to families who have seriously ill children being treated at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow and other West of Scotland hospitals.
Ken Simpson, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Glasgow, said: “Thanks to the generosity of fantastic supporters like Andrew we can keep our door open and keep families together when it matters most.
“We want to thank Andrew for taking on such an ambitious and inspiring fundraising challenge.
“The money that Andrew raises through his challenge will allow us to support families from across Scotland and further afield enabling them to stay close to their seriously ill child.
“We want to wish Andrew all the very best for his challenge.”
