PICTURES: Fundraising run organised by Lifescan employee raises thousands of pounds for Highland charities, Mikeysline and Elsie Normington Foundation
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Two Highland charities are to benefit thanks to a fundraising run organised by an employee of Lifescan in Inverness.
Kevin Brough organised the 10k run along the Caledonian Canal for the mental health charity, Mikeysline, and the Elsie Normington Foundation which is developing the Haven Centre for young people with severe learning difficulties and complex needs at a site in Inverness.
The event is expected to have raised between £2500 and £3000 including match funding from Lifescan.
Mr Brough, an operations technician, recruited the 21 runners from work colleagues and running friends.
He said he felt passionately about the work of both organisations.
“Mikeysline does so much for young people and especially during the last two years,” said Mr Brough, who has two teenage children. “I don’t think anyone has had it worse than young people.”
Having visited Mikeysline's Hive Centre in Academy Street to discover more about its work, he praised the charity for its supporting for people struggling with mental health issues.
"It is such a friendly non-judgemental place," he said. "I didn't realise how much it does."
He had learned about the Haven Centre project from Kirstin Mackay, programme manager for the Elsie Normingon Foundation, who is a running friend.
The much-needed centre, being built in Murray Road, Smithton, is just a five-minute walk from where Mr Brough grew up.
The runners, some of whom had not previously run as far as 10k, were split up and mixed into small groups.
"New friendships were made which was really nice," Mr Brough said.
Home-baked cakes plus donated cakes from Tesco were supplied at the finish line.
Mikeysline expands mental health support services
Construction begins on pioneering £4.1m centre
