A Dundee reverend has completed a gruelling series of hill races to help raise money for a school in Ghana.
Richard Toller, 61, raced over 100km and climbed more than 5000m in challenging races across some of the country’s roughest terrain.
His efforts have helped raise hundreds of pounds for a new school for disabled children in Ghana.
The St Mary’s Community Church pastor began the challenge in April by tackling the Stuc a’Chroin hill race, covering 22km, with 1500m of climbing.
Since then, he has tackled routes that test fitness and endurance.
He said: “A couple of years ago I ran some races for the same cause. I had been thinking about doing these races anyway, and thought ‘why not take the opportunity to raise some money and get some good publicity?’
“Running on the hills you get fabulous views, and with long races like this one, you’re not running flat out. It gives you a great sense of freedom.”
The former librarian has had a long connection to the Ghanian centre, which he first visited in 2001. Since then, he has raised money to assist staff in teaching skills such as agriculture and tailoring to disabled youngsters who would otherwise be forgotten about.
Plans are now in place to build a primary school on the site to enable younger children the same access to education as their able-bodied counterparts.
Richard said: “I have seen people graduating and having the skills they need to make a life for themselves. They give students somewhere to stay and do workshops on tailoring, shoemaking and so on.
“They have really improved the facilities. They have bought land for a farm which can be used to teach agriculture skills but it also helps generate some income.”
Mr Toller will visit the centre in February to check on its progress.
Donations can still be made to his online fundraising page.
