Linlithgow women pair up for marathon run to raise funds for sight loss charity

Two women from Linlithgow are aiming to complete a joint marathon side-by-side this month to raise money for sight loss charity RNIB.

Lorna and Lesley are running their marathon over four days next week.

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Lorna McMurray 54, began to lose her sight in 2015 and it has grown progressively worse since due to a degenerative retinal condition in both eyes which has resulted in central vision loss.

Lorna, a former modern languages teacher said: "When my eyesight began to deteriorate, I had a lot of help from RNIB.

"They helped me to come to terms with my condition, taught me how to maximise my mobility, and advised me on what aids and equipment could help me in employment."

She and her friend, Lesley Malone, aim to raise funds for RNIB by taking part in the charity's Marathon Mates challenge which lets you pair up with a friend, colleague or family member and share the traditional 26-mile marathon distance by running, walking, swimming, or however you want.

Lorna and Lesley are running over four days next week, just over six miles a day, along the Union Canal path

Lesley, who describes herself as ‘65-years-young’, is a PE specialist for the Linlithgow Primary schools cluster.

She taught for nearly 30 years, and in 2015 was awarded an MBE for contributions to sport and physical education.

She said: "I run two or three times a week and with the heightened awareness I now have of how precious our sight is, I became aware of Lorna running with a shirt saying visually impaired. The canal has become busy enough with walkers, but is now really dangerous with bikes going too fast. I find it tricky myself, so I thought it must be quite difficult for Lorna.

"I’d known Lorna for many years when I taught her children. I thought - sod it, I’ll see if she’d like a pal to run with. We started about three weeks ago and I hope running with me has given her the confidence to run longer distances. We spend the whole time gossiping and putting the world to right, so it’s really been fun.

"When she decided to do the charity run, I had to join her. We may be slow but we’re definitely strong and I am confident we’ll finish well.”

You can sponsor Lorna and Lesley's challenge at her Just Giving page.

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