As strange as a birthday celebration as it might seem, for my Dad there was no better way to mark his 70th birthday than to get his old running shoes back on and get training for a marathon. To make it extra special, we decided we would do the marathon as a Team, Dad and his favourite child (so I like to think!), and raise money for a cause that was special to both of us. 

Deciding this was easy! Being from a household where we didn't eat meat, by parents who have always been very aware of animal welfare  issues, I have had a great interest in this area from a young age, and aside from running, it is something my Dad and I have always shared. He is the Dog Dad who will sleep downstairs with the dog when she's sick, insist that she must be walked at 6am on the dot, gives her "supper" and who (if you are awake at 6am) you will hear talking to his "big dog" like she is human. 

This interest has resulted in me joining and being on the board of the OneKind charity and seeing all the fantastic work they do. The charity focuses on a huge range of animal welfare issues, from reducing intensive factory farming, to the ban on fox hunting, snares and badger bating, to the end of the "cage age" and the principles of deer management. Of course, all these things come with the added advantage of protecting Scotland's wildlife, and environment, from the harsh effects of deforestation and climate change. What I didn't realise, was the amount of work involved in implementing legislation changes, and how each small change or improvement we see, has been months or years of skilled graft and dedication by the Team. It has been a real privilege being able to support them these past 2 years. 

So after a few months of training, and after 20+ years of not running at all, my Dad was fighting fit and running half marathons with ease. Unfortunately, an old injury from the past reared its ugly head and he has had to pull out from the race. As disappointing as it was for both of us, my Dad encouraged me to keep training without him and finish what we both started. And so in Inverness, I will be running with the support of my friends and family cheering me on, and the support of OneKind who I am running for, from afar. 

Not only will I be running for the wonderful charity, I will also run for my Dad. The amazing human who got me into running, helped teach me compassion, and who, 40 years ago on a meat free diet (proving all the guys slagging him wrong!) showed that he could run a sub 3 hour marathon.