STV’s Clare Carswell to run a half-marathon in aid of Waverley Care

By Clare Carswell
Collecting my running shirt from the Waverley Care officesClare Carswell

In eight weeks time I will take part in the Perth Heaven and Hell Half-Marathon to raise money for Edinburgh based charity Waverley Care and I’m worried.

I hope that on Sunday, April 8 I will have accomplished two things; to have completed the race in under two hours and to have reached my fundraising target of £500 – I’m worried that I will fail in either or both of these challenges.

I have done very little running since I injured myself in what turned out to be a very painful experience of the Berlin Marathon in 2010.

I thought it was about time I returned to running and to keep me focussed I picked the charity Waverley Care to raise money for.

There’s no backing out now, I’ve got the t-shirt (running vest to be precise) with Waverley Care emblazoned across it and the training has begun.

Through my work for STV Local Edinburgh I have written a number of articles about Waverley Care and as a result have learned a great deal about this charity supports people living with HIV and Hepatitis C.

I have met with people who work for the charity, volunteer there or benefit from the services provided and I was touched by the warmth that all these people shared for this charity.

For some, the support that Waverley Care offers has saved their lives in a world riddled with stigma.

Raising funds for this charity seems like the ideal way to show support for their dedicated efforts – I hope that I don’t let them down by failing to reach my £500 target.

In the few weeks since I set-up my fund-raising page on JustGiving I have received five donations from friends and family.

If you are familiar with the work of Waverley Care or have been touched by the effects of HIV or Hepatitis C perhaps you would like to pledge some money? You can do so by clicking this link.

I have a long way to go with my fundraising and I have a lot of training still to do. Speaking of which, I best pull my trainers on!

IN DETAIL

Waverley Care saved my life

Vital one-to-one support

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