A trailblazing Fife policewoman has raised thousands of pounds to sponsor a talking book after being inspired by the plight of her colleague’s son.
Super-fit Jo Murphy, from Crossgates, is no stranger to long-distance running and regularly competes in endurance races up and down the country.
But the 30-year-old went above and beyond to raise an amazing £2,520 by recently running a gruelling 96-mile race, spurred on by her determination to help children who have lost their sight.
Jo completed the West Highland Way race to help sight loss charity RNIB Scotland record a new talking book for blind and partially sighted children.
She said: “Last July, my colleague Tony Herring’s 11-year-old son, Cameron, complained of having a sore back.
“Three days later he was in a coma in hospital, struck down with a virus. To this day, the cause isn’t known.
“His family endured a heart-breaking few months and were unsure as to whether he would survive.
“Cameron’s speech has been drastically affected but he has continued to defy the medical staff and is improving in many aspects each day.
“However, he is now completely blind after damage was caused to his optic nerve and his sight may never return.
“I wanted to raise enough funds to allow RNIB to record a new talking book for children with sight loss like Cameron.
“RNIB audiobooks are professionally narrated and recorded so children can share the same fun and excitement of reading as their sighted peers.
“I couldn’t think of a more fitting cause to raise funds for.”
Jo has sponsored Carnegie Medal-winning ‘Salt to the Sea’ by Ruta Sepetys, and the remaining £1,020 will be donated towards RNIB Scotland’s Haggeye youth forum and its drive to raise funds for another talking book.
Jo was determined to better her previous time in last year’s West Highland Way race, which begins in Milngavie and ends in Fort William, and finished with a personal best of just 19 hours, 57 minutes.
“I’ve been simply overwhelmed by the generosity of people who have donated,” Jo added.
“I‘ve raised far more than I ever imagined I would.
“At one point the wind and rain was battering my face and was relentless.
“Looking up I was met with the sight of three miles of winding trail – so cruel.
“Before I knew it, the descent was upon me, my jacket acting as a slight wind-breaker but also seemed to double up as a parachute and I was lifted off the ground at points.
“Very Mary Poppins! There may have been tears…”
