Great Edinburgh Run: Hannah Lithgow dons traffic cone for MS

FOR Hannah Lithgow, it has been her signature look as she raises money for Multiple Sclerosis charities.
Hannah Lithgow's signature look. Picture: suppliedHannah Lithgow's signature look. Picture: supplied
Hannah Lithgow's signature look. Picture: supplied

And this spring she will be showing off her traffic cone outfit in the Capital as she participates in the Great Edinburgh Run.

The 25-year-old, who lives in Slateford, learnt eight years ago that her father, Malcolm, had been diagnosed with the condition.

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Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating disease where the insulating covers of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged. The damage disrupts the ability of parts of the nervous system to communicate, resulting in a wide range of signs and symptoms, including physical, mental, and sometimes psychiatric problems.

Hannah Lithgow. Picture: Scott LoudenHannah Lithgow. Picture: Scott Louden
Hannah Lithgow. Picture: Scott Louden

At first, Hannah said she didn’t understand what MS was, but as time went on, she noticed her dad’s deterioration.

She said: “My dad was diagnosed with MS about eight years ago and I had never heard about it before then.

“We didn’t really see much of a difference in him in the first couple of years, but as time went on things started to change and that’s when my family and I really wanted to do something to help.”

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Soon afterwards, the Edinburgh Napier University sport science PhD student found herself fundraising for MS Society Scotland and it wasn’t long before she became an ambassador for the charity.

Hannah Lithgow. Picture: Scott LoudenHannah Lithgow. Picture: Scott Louden
Hannah Lithgow. Picture: Scott Louden

Hannah, originally from Dumfriesshire, added: “It’s heartbreaking to watch my dad gradually get worse – he spends most of his time in a wheelchair now.”

Hannah said running dressed as a traffic cone has become normal for her while taking part in events.

Before taking part in her first fundraising activity, she wanted a hat that would make her stand out from the crowd, so she logged on to eBay and began searching.

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“It was either a traffic cone hat or a Finding Nemo hat because orange is the colour of the charity – but I went for the traffic cone,” Hannah said.

“I wanted something that would make me stand out in the crowd, help me raise money for the charity as well as raising awareness of the condition.”

Hannah said her aim was to raise £500 by participating in the Great Edinburgh Run – a 10K course which passes many of the Capital’s landmarks.

The event will take place on April 17, starting and finishing at the foot of Arthur’s Seat.

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A spokeswoman for the Great Edinburgh Run said: “This is an amazing opportunity for locals and visitors alike to take over the streets of the Capital and run past some of the city’s most famous landmarks.

“As well as historic streets and fantastic views, the course will be packed with entertainment, with everything from bagpipers and bands to Capital FM DJs.”

For more information about the event, or to sign up, visit: www.greatrun.org/ednews.