Tayside’s fire stations have hosted a man who aims to run around the British coast in memory of his tragic sister.
Wayne Russell set out from London in September last year to run the entire coast of Britain in memory of his sister Carmel Webb, who died aged 34 three years ago after a battle with a rare heart condition.
Carmel dedicated her life to charity and Mr Russell is now on the road ensuring her legacy is not forgotten.
Mr Russell has spent the last several months running around the Scottish coast, and was sleeping rough in doorways and bus stations until he met firefighter Paul Wilson.
The 34-year-old paid tribute to Scottish Fire and Rescue, which has arranged to put him up until he passes back into England, and was surprised to be given a “local heroes” award from the Arbroath Festival of Heroes as he arrived at the town’s station.
https://www.facebook.com/arbroathsfestivalofheroes/videos/1603406343312153/
Mr Russell is now in Fife and has 860 miles to go before finishing in London come July.
He said: “This is great for me as I can shower and use their washing machines.
“I just don’t have to worry where I am sleeping that night.
“Scottish Fire and Rescue have been very hospitable, and I’m very grateful.”
Mr Russell said he is “inspired” by the amount his sister did for charity – including setting up a meals on wheels-type service for the elderly – that he “wanted to do something big”.
“When she died, instead of getting sad I set up a Facebook group to encourage people to do good deeds,” he said.
“I wanted to do something big and, as I had just started running, I thought I could run the coast of Britain.”
Mr Russell set himself a target of raising £25,000 for the Superhero Foundation, which encourages volunteers to take on seemingly impossible challenges to raise money for families struggling to overcome serious mental and physical illnesses.
The IT worker, who is involved in digital inclusion to support people with learning difficulties, has already raised more than £8,000 and hopes that as he approaches the finish line that figure “snowballs”.
To donate to Mr Russell’s campaign before he finishes his journey, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/waynerussell.
