Robin's race for breast cancer patients

Robin's race for breast cancer patients

THURSDAY, 20 NOVEMBER, 2014

PHOTOS ATTACHED: 1 – DURING THE DEVIL OF THE HIGHLANDS 43 MILE RACE

2 – AT THE END OF THE DEVIL OF THE HIGHLANDS RACE

Robin’s race for breast cancer patients

A Murray Royal Hospital medical records officer has battled his way back from injury to raise money for breast cancer patients by taking part in a half-marathon.

Robin Wombill, a 62-year-old ‘ultra runner’, previously raised £2345 for the Perth Royal Infirmary Breast Care Fund in 2012 after completing the West Highland Way Race, running a total of 95 miles from Milngavie to Fort William.

His plan for 2014 was to attempt the West Highland Way Triple Crown which comprises three races along the West Highland Way but, after successfully completing the first race, he was forced to pull out of the second race after 25 hours and 75 miles due to a back injury. He then successfully finished the final race but this left him unable to run for a while and he lost all his fitness and endurance.

Robin said, “One thing that has kept me going throughout the long hours of physiotherapy and exercising is my determination to continue supporting the Breast Care Team. They don’t give up on treating their patients and I’m not going to give up my fundraising for them.

I'm not 100% fit yet but now that I am able to run again I have decided to take it one step at a time and start with an off-road half marathon from Balerno to Leith at the end of November.”

After his injury, Robin had to withdraw from some races he’d entered so he decided to volunteer at the Glen Ogle 33 mile ultra marathon. At the beginning of the race he was presented with the Glen Ogle 33 Endeavour 2014 trophy in recognition of his efforts to try and complete his goals through injury, his hard work in rehabilitation, his voluntary work and always having a smile on his face.

Robin started running in 2003 after being told by his GP that he was borderline obese and, after entering a 10k race, found that he had a hidden competitive streak. Over the years he began running longer races and in 2010 he entered the world of ‘ultra’ running, which is anything longer than a marathon.

Robin explained, “I have been raising money for many years, along with my colleagues in medical records, for the Breast Care Fund at Perth Royal Infirmary who have treated and helped too many of my friends over the years, and recently this has included a close family member.

“This small dedicated team uses 100% of the donations they receive to provide specialist services and equipment that come outside of the NHS budget to ensure they give their patients the very best possible care.”

The half-marathon will take place on Saturday, 29 November. Anyone who would like to sponsor Robin can visit his fundraising site www.sponsorme.co.uk/robinwombill/the-water-of-leith-half-marathon

Contact:

Louise Wilson

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740718

21 November 2014