North East dad to run 165 miles in 36 hours after son born with rare genetic condition
Andrew Smith's premature son was born with a rare genetic condition and received vital treatment at Aberdeen and Glasgow's children's hospitals.
Last updated 11th Jan 2024
A new dad is set to run from Glasgow to Aberdeen in 36 hours with the hope of raising £50,000 for charities that have supported his premature son, who was born with an extremely rare genetic condition.
Andrew Smith's baby boy, Louie was born 12 weeks early in September.
Following surgery on his throat in Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children he was diagnosed with a very rare genetic condition, said to affect less than 100 people globally.
Andrew, 29, from from Mintlaw says: “It was a lot for us as parents to get our heads around and grasp, but he’s doing fantastic."
Now, him and his partner Nancie are keen to give something back to "two fantastic charities", so they can continue to help families.
The money raised will be split between The Archie Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Glasgow - both charities have given vital support to Andrew, Nancie and baby Louie throughout his hospitalisation.
Already an enthusiastic ultra-marathon runner, Andrew is confident he can complete the challenge telling us, “I’ve got such a big driver in Louie and these charities, there’s not a question in my mind that I’ll get there”.
The journey will be around 165 miles - the equivalent of six marathons in a row – and he will attempt to run it in one go, stopping only for food, water and maybe "some micro naps on the side of the road”.
Fundraising manager for the Archie Foundation, Cassie McGunnigle says that it’s “incredible to know that there’s people willing to undertake a challenge like this and of course £50,000 is such an incredible amount of money.”
Andrew will embark on the extraordinary challenge on June 1, leaving Ronald McDonald House in Glasgow at 7am on the Saturday and arriving at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital at 7pm on the Sunday evening.
He will be supported by family and friends along with the charities themselves, during the challenge, Cassie McGunnigle says “the charity will be there every step of the way … and you can guarantee we’ll be here waving the flag for him arriving.”