A COUPLE have laced up their running shoes to help a charity supporting out-of-school activities for disabled children and young people.

Hayley Thompson and Calum Darling, both 27, tackled the Scottish 10k in East Lothian with the intention of raising £400 for Can Do.

Ultimately, the Haddington couple, who have been together for 12 years, smashed their target.

Hayley, a nursery practitioner, and Calum, who works as a plumber, chose to support Can Do as they both have younger brothers with additional support needs who have benefitted from Can Do’s holiday playschemes.

Now, every penny of the £1,418 raised will go to providing activities for the children and young people the charity works with.

Hayley explained why they chose to run for Can Do and their experience of both having a younger brother – Billy Fordyce and Blair Darling – with additional support needs.

Hayley Thompson and Calum Darling have done their bit for Can DoHayley Thompson and Calum Darling have done their bit for Can Do (Image: Contributed)

She said: “Calum and I met when we were 15 and were unaware of each other having a brother with a disability.

“Twelve years on, we have watched each other’s sibling grow up and go through their own challenges in life.

“It has encouraged both of us to become very patient, open-minded and accepting of their differences and needs.

“It’s also very reassuring having a partner who completely understands and can relate to having a sibling who needs that extra support and patience throughout daily life.

“Knowing that both our brothers have attended and really enjoyed playscheme made it a very close-to-home choice to fundraise for Can Do.

“We were both aware of the impact the fundraising is going to make to young people’s lives.”

 

 

Kirsty Milne, Can Do co-ordinator, stressed the importance of local fundraisers and the work they do helping raise much-needed funds for the charity, which is based in North Berwick.

She said: “We are extremely grateful to Hayley and Calum for their ongoing support of our charity.

“The amount raised from community fundraising this year has been phenomenal, we are so fortunate to have a team of supporters raising awareness and vital funds to ensure that disabled young people have regular opportunities to experience fun, friendship and adventure.

“This support coming directly from families who have benefited from our services is humbling and shows the importance and value in the opportunities we provide.”

To find out more about how people can fundraise for Can Do, go to can-do.scot