I will run a mile for every goal
Stuart’s World Cup pledge
An ex-soldier is raising money for Cancer Research UK by running a mile for every goal scored at the World Cup.
Stuart Mcmillan, from Hillhouse, decided to take on the challenge and raise money for the worthwhile cause and document it on his Facebook page.
Lionel Messi bagged the 100th goal of the tournament on Tuesday night as Argentina dumped Nigeria out of the tournament.
And with almost 20 games still to go, Stuart will have his work cut out.
After being in the army as an infantry soldier in 1SCOTS 1st Battalion The Royal Scots Borderers, The Royal Regiment of Scotland for 18 years, Stuart was medically discharged last June with arthritis and a neck injury.
He said: “I had bags of support with medical care and personal development while transitioning to civilian life, all thanks to the Army Personnel Recovery Centre in Edinburgh.
“I stopped physical training completely after army life due to inflammatory joint pain and physical limitations caused through suffering from regular flair ups.”
Now that medication has his condition under control, Stuart has been given a new lease of life.
He said: “I thought to myself, ‘it’s the World Cup and everyone will be tuned in so rather than lounge on the sofa drinking beer, let’s use this event as a platform to raise awareness and funding for a worthwhile cause and get fit in the process’”
Stuart continued: “On a personal level, I have lost family to terminal cancer and seen family members of friends and neighbours affected directly with this awful disease.
“Completing a mile for every goal scored seemed like an ideal challenge, keeping the focus alive over an extended period of time.
“There have been some high scores at times which have proved a challenge, notably the 13 goals scored on Saturday and the 14 goals scored on Sunday!”
Stuart has been running his dedicated miles at the New Age Fitness in Hillhouse.
He said: “New Age Fitness have given me fantastic support. I couldn’t ask for a better facility to use for this challenge and they have even agreed to let me put a collection tin at reception!”
You can make a donation at www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/goalz4life
Thirteen goals on Saturday, 14 on Sunday