95 miles for charity

A civil engineer from Scotland will complete a 95-mile race across the Scottish Highlands this month to raise funds for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

Alistair Gray will take part in the West Highland Way Race, an annual ultra-marathon on 18 June.

Mr Gray was inspired to take up the challenge because his aunt lost her sight in a childhood accident. Running for the RNIB, the funds he raises will go towards the charity’s ‘talking books’ service. He decided to fundraise for this service to support the RNIB’s #bookschangelives campaign.

Speaking about the challenge, Mr Gray told OT: "It's not the 95 miles that worries me, but the 53 before breakfast.

“My friend challenged me to do something extraordinary so I thought running 95 miles over the West Highland Way would fit the bill.”

He added: “I saw it as an opportunity to raise money for RNIB Scotland. Sight loss is something close to my heart as my aunt Barbara has been blind since losing her sight following complications from an accident in her childhood. She now has no vision at all.”

The race begins at 1am from Milngavie, where Mr Gray will set off with around 200 other ultra-marathon runners. The route covers the banks of Loch Lomond and Rannoch Moor, before finishing in Fort William.

He is hoping to complete the distance in around 20 hours.

To make a donation, visit Mr Gray’s JustGiving page.

Watch Mr Gray talk about his the challenge below