LOCHGELLY’S Don Campbell last weekend reached halfway in his quest to complete 1,000 miles in 2021 for local good causes.

Don started on New Year’s Day hoping to cover 1,000 miles and hopefully raise £!,000 to be split to between Lochgelly and Bowhill for good causes this coming Christmas.

At this moment in time, he has raised £2,500, with more pledges to come, which means the former leading Scottish professional sprinter is ahead of his aim, but he has a lot of work still to do!

Don, 68, said: “The response has been unbelievable, very humbling and the encouragement and good wishes are keeping me going.

“That, and the thought that through the local network, such as churches, etc, I will be able to raise as much as I can for good causes in the two communities.”

The former Powderhall sprinter, coach and current Highland Games handicapper, is keeping up his bid to run 20+ miles a week on his runs from his home in Lochgelly, to Wallsgreen Park in Cardenden, the home of Bowhill Highland Games.

“I like going out for wee runs and living in the north part of Lochgelly I can head across country towards Auchterderran, and then down to Wallsgreen, a journey of four miles,” he added

“It was hard going earlier in the year, on the dark days but it is more pleasant now and I hope to get the 1,000 complete by the end of October and then, with the help of local organisations, hopefully we can find some good causes to support.”

Don, with the support of his family, has set up a Justgiving page and has received good support and he is preparing now to achieve the second half of his target.

He has been thankful of their backing and also that of Tommy Lawrence, a Rosyth based physiotherapist, who has been the veteran runner’s aches and pains to a minimum.

Looking ahead, Don added: “Maybe come Christmas day someone who thought it was going to be just another day, or a young family who have found it tough due to this horrible year we have all experienced, might be able to give their bairns a wee doll or a toy car or some other present which they might not otherwise have been able to do this year.

“That would be a really good feeling, I’m sure a lot of local people who have given to the cause will feel happy in the knowledge they played a big part in this and if anyone would like to contribute to the cause the contact is: www.just giving.com” The 500 miles covered by Don have been achieved in 1.2 million steps plus a worn out a pair of trainers! But the runs will continue and his thanks goes to all who have given generously to the cause.