Glaswegians welcomed home one of their own after he completed a 560-mile run between Germany and Glasgow to raise money for Children 1st.
John McGurk (53) completed his epic fundraising feat at Glasgow Green on Monday, June 6, just a stone’s throw from where he was born. Local supporters dug out their trainers to run the last leg with him to send a message to children and young people that they matter.
He said: “I survived a traumatic childhood and chose Children 1st because they work with abused children and those whose lives are blighted by poverty. The work they do is all about helping children recover from trauma, or helping families who need support. That’s what needs addressed, and what I want to change.
“When I read that one in three children in Glasgow is living in poverty that just blew me away. I wanted to do something to raise awareness as well as money, so I planned this run.”
John, once a member of the army with the King’s Own Scottish Borderer’s regiment, set up a charitable association in Germany and has raised almost €1million for children’s organisations across the globe.
His latest five-day feat saw him cover four countries and run through Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Clackmannanshire, Stirling, Lanarkshire and Glasgow.
John’s Justgiving page is here.