One of the organisers behind a campaign to bring an athletics arena to Arbroath will be running this year’s London Marathon to raise money for the ambitious project.
Cherise Whamond is taking on the world famous 26-mile race on April 26 for the Angus Athletics Arena campaign.
She failed to win a space in the marathon’s annual ballot, but Arbroath and District Athletics Club chairman Winston Webber gave her the club’s space in the marathon to support the campaign.
Cherise and Vicky Graham are trying to raise £1 million to remedy the fact Angus is one of only two local authority areas in Scotland that does not have an all-weather athletics track.
Cherise started running around two years ago when she joined the Arbroath Footers club.
After completing the club’s 10-week “couch potato to 5km” programme for complete beginners, the mum-of-two started taking part in 10km races and half marathons.
Last May she ran the Edinburgh Marathon, which she described as a “fantastic experience”.
“After that I said I would always do another marathon. The buzz of the first one makes you want to do another,” said Cherise, who works as a health care assistant in the minor injuries unit at Arbroath Infirmary.
“I am so grateful that Winston from Arbroath and District Athletics Club offered me the club’s space.”
Cherise and Vicky, who are both parents of children who attend the athletics club, said they were shocked when they saw the high standard of facilities at clubs in neighbouring counties compared to what is available in Angus.
“I’m hoping that everyone digs deep and sponsors me for this great cause,” Cherise added.
“Having an arena for training in Arbroath will benefit so many people and clubs in Angus.”
Cherise can be sponsored at crowdfunding.justgiving.com/cherise-whamond.