A Glasgow man is running 12 marathons this year in memory of his father who had two strokes and died of a pulmonary embolism.
Jack McIntosh, from Anniesland, is running a marathon each month this year as part of his Born to Run Challenge to raise funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) in honour of his dad, Willie, who was a diehard Bruce Springsteen aficionado.
Willie, a former police officer, passed away in December 2021.
The first stroke in 2016 was mild before suffering a more severe stroke in February 2020 which hospitalised him for three months.
Jack said: "He got home in May and started his recovery and it went very well.
“But two weeks later he felt a bit breathless, he was sent to hospital and they told him he had blood clots on his lungs.
“My mum and brother called him and he said he was all good and after that call he had a pulmonary embolism and died on the spot.”
Jack's first marathon, the West Highland Way, kicked off in January where he ran from 7pm until midnight.
The money raised will go towards supporting CHSS for the support Willie received after his strokes.
To support his fundraiser, go to www.gofundme.com/f/born-to-run-marathon-challenge.
He said: “My dad’s recovery was amazing, he was strong-minded and never took a day off and that’s why I wanted to take on something challenging.
“CHSS was really good and my mum always talks highly of the support he received.
“It was a massive change for him but he never let it get him down and CHSS helped him, they never held him back.”
Louise MacLeod, community, events and corporate fundraiser at CHSS, said: "On behalf of CHSS we’d like to thank Jack for his efforts so far this year and wish him all the best for the rest of his challenge throughout the rest of 2024.
“The funds raised will help us to support the 1 in 5 people across the country who are living with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid to live their lives to the full.”
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