An Edinburgh man has spoken out after his dear friend and local Leith artist tragically passed away from cancer.
Scott Murphy, 42 from Bruntsfield, Edinburgh lost his childhood friend Gordon in 2022 after he lived with cancer for 10 years.
Comic book artist Gordon Shaw was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2012 at the age of 32, and over the years, the Maggie's Centre supported him and his partner Shawn Puller.
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Now in honour of Gordon, he is now running the 10k in the Edinburgh Marathon.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Scott said: "Gordon was always so determined and he changed his lifestyle to allow himself to live as long as possible, so I use that in my running. I don't run normally. I've only done the couch to 5k.
"Gordon and I met in high school in Ayrshire and we were friends ever since. When he was diagnosed in 2012, it wasn't as bad as you might have thought. It was a hidden illness too with it being a brain tumour.
"But he just made the most out of his days. I think it really encouraged him to get on with his art work and then he became a comic book artist and did a documentary, Long live my happy head."
The Leith artist released five comic books including Bittersweet where Gordon opened up about his own experience with cancer. His documentary also went on to be shown in cinemas across the UK.
Scott added: "It was difficult. There were times when we thought it was the end, he would get really ill but then get better. He just kept going. Then in September last year, he went into hospital for a week and never came back out. He was on pain medication but passed away peacefully at the age of 42."
The Maggie's centre helped Gordon and his partner, and Scott said: "He only ever said good things about the support he and his partner received. I wanted to try and give something back to Maggie's for all the help and support they gave to Gordon and Shawn."
Scott has never run a 10k before and only recently completed Couch to 5k. He put together a training plan that helped him 'get in shape physically and mentally'.
Since he started training, Scott said he will stick with running as a hobby, after the 10k, after noticing the difference in how feels. He said: "I'm losing a bit of weight, I'm eating better, and it really helps my mental health."
A spokesperson for Maggie's said: “We are so grateful to Scott for taking on this challenge and running in memory of Gordon. Every penny raised will go towards supporting people in our local community who are affected by a diagnosis of cancer”.
You can support Scott's run for Gordon and Maggie's on Just Giving.
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