Brightons man runs 500km to thank Strathcarron Hospice for caring for mum

Robert Myler set himself the daunting task as a way of thanking Strathcarron Hospice whose staff provided “invaluable” care for his mum, Anne (76), during her short battle with lung cancer.

The 56-year-old, who is the president of Grangemouth Triathlon Club, crossed the finish line at the Fankerton hospice yesterday (Wednesday).

Having drawn up a plan that saw him run 25km for two days in a row, with every third day used to rest, Robert kept the reason for his charity mission at the front of his mind as he took to the streets, roads and woods.

The support Strathcarron gave his family is something he will never forget.

Robert said: “The carers came to my mum’s house in Carronshore twice a day.

“She died four weeks after she was diagnosed in mid-July so it was a really difficult time to get a care package in place because she had deteriorated so much.

“Strathcarron’s help was a huge motivation. There’ve been days where it has been tiring and I’ve picked up a couple of niggles and it would’ve been easy to give up but I thought ‘I’m doing it for a good cause’.

“I wanted to say a big thank you and that’s what kept me going.”

Robert, who works as a hospitality technician at Forth Valley College, has been stunned by the amount of moral and monetary support his fundraising effort has received.

Fellow runners were quick to tag along on his outings while family and friends have given generously to his sponsor sheet and online JustGiving page.

Robert is confident his revised £4000 aim will be passed.

He said: “I’ve been joined by quite a lot of people, friends from the triathlon club, the Road Trail Country Warriors.

“Some have joined for small parts and some have done 30k. I can’t believe in this day and age with job uncertainty how generous people have been.

“The more getting donated, the more it encourages you to get running even though the weather isn’t great.

“That’s what’s kept me going. It has been absolutely outstanding.”

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