A bowel cancer survivor undertook a gruelling personal challenge in a bid to raise more than £1000 for charity.
Bankfoot man Sandy Lawrence ran the Perth 10K, the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow and the Pitlochry 10K in the space of just a month last year.
The 59-year-old wanted to raise awareness of the potentially fatal disease and thank the staff at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, who helped him through surgery and chemotherapy.
His wife Kaye (54) is being treated for breast cancer at Perth Royal Infirmary and he said the care she is receiving is also “second to none.”
Although a regular runner before his illness was first detected in 2003, it took him around six years to get back to full fitness.
Sponsorship money came from family, friends, members of the local community and colleagues at building firm Broxwood.
Sandy handed over a cheque for £1122.50 to Dorothy Rodger from Cancer Research UK on Thursday morning.
He said, “I wish to thank all those who sponsored me, the cash is for a great cause.
“I am very grateful for the way both myself and my wife have been treated by local hospital staff and wanted to assist in raising funds to aid further research.”
He continued, “I hope I have also raised awareness of bowel cancer.
“My tumour was picked up during one of the country’s first screening programmes I was only 50 and had no idea I was unwell.
“I would urge people to return home testing kits that are sent out when you hit 50. It may not be the most pleasant of tasks but it can really save your life.
“I was lucky that my cancer was picked up before it spread, if I hadn’t been screened I may not have been here today.”
He added, “I used to run quite a lot and took part in the first ever Dundee Marathon but after the cancer treatment I lost weight and my energy levels plummeted.
“I trained hard for the events last year and now feel great.”
Sandy is organising a fund-raising barbecue in aid of Cancer Research in July to celebrate his 60th birthday.
Accepting the cheque, Ms Rodger said, “This was a fantastic way to support Cancer Research UK and it is great that, thanks to cancer research, cancer survivors are able to set themselves new challenges and achieve their goals.
“Cancer Research UK relies on the support of the public to fund our work. If you would like to get involved in raising funds then please register by phoning 08701 60 20 40 or visiting www.cancerresearchuk.org/supportus.”
Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading charity dedicated to research into the causes, prevention and treatment of cancer. The charity supports research into all aspects of the disease through the work of more than 4800 scientists, doctors and nurses across the UK.
Over £33 million was spent on scientific and clinical research in Scotland last year including work undertaken in Dundee into the causes of bowel and skin cancer.