A Stirling man who has been blind since birth is preparing to run a marathon to raise money for Strathcarron Hospice in memory of his late wife.
In an extraordinary act of courage and commitment, Gordon Luke, aged 53, has committed to running in this year’s Edinburgh Marathon on May 29.
Gordon, who lives and works in Stirling, hoped to run in the Stirling Marathon - but when this was cancelled he was undaunted and decided that the Edinburgh Marathon was a good alternative.
When running, Gordon is guided by his running partner Shona Aiken.
Both have been in training since August of last year.
Gordon, who works for an IT company near Stirling, accepts that some people might think they are “mad” but, he said, they “really like a challenge”.
Gordon admits that the choice of a marathon was at least partly to score one over his brother who had previously run a half marathon.
However, more seriously and more importantly, he wants to support Strathcarron Hospice.
Gordon is running to raise funds for Strathcarron partly to celebrate its 41 years of operation.
But over and above this, he has his own very personal and touching reason.
“My late wife Carolyn was a patient at Strathcarron a few years ago and, by the fabulous work they performed, they were able to give my daughter and myself an extra year of her life – a year in which she was able to see our daughter attend her school prom, start her first job and make her way to university.
“Let’s face it – that’s priceless.
“We therefore want to raise money for this fabulous place - and if it means a bit of pain and suffering as we pound the streets during hail, rain and shine, then so be it.”
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Paying tribute to his partner Shona, Gordon said: “She has been running since she was knee-high, and has been successful
at all distances up to and including a marathon.
“She is a brilliant guide. Between us we’ve got one set of working eyes; when running, we are joined at the wrist by nothing more substantial than one of Shona’s headbands, and I rely entirely on that and Shona’s brilliant commentary.”
For those who love dogs, Gordon’s daughter, Rebecca, will be bringing along his Guide Dog ‘Quest’.
Asked about Quest’s interest in the challenge, Gordon said: “No he does not go running with me – he refuses absolutely to go above second gear and prefers instead to snooze at home especially during wet and cold training nights.”
Gordon is delighted with the response to date for his initiative.
The total has already reached close
to £5,000.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to Gordon’s fundraising in aid of Strathcarron Hospice can do so at: www.strathcarronhospice.net/fundraisers/shona-and-gordon-take-on-the–edinburgh-marathon-festival-2022.
