PE teacher aces testing London Marathon to raise nearly £3k for St Andrew's Hospice
A Glenmavis PE teacher put himself through his paces as he aced the testing London Marathon in aid of St Andrew's Hospice.
Andrew Kennedy defied an injury suffered a few weeks before the event to complete the race in an impressive three hours, one minute and 15 seconds - and raise £2900 for the Airdrie charity.
The 26-year-old, who teaches PE at Calderhead High School in Shotts, has fundraised for the hospice since 2022 and has always been a keen runner.
Andrew explained how he secured his spot at the London Marathon but then endured a setback during the build-up.
He told Lanarkshire Live: "I saw that the hospice was advertising a place in the London Marathon and, six weeks before the event, I got a call from them saying I had secured the spot and they'd known had done a couple of previous marathons for the hospice.
"I then got injured a couple of weeks before the marathon and was worried I wouldn't be able to do it.
"But adrenaline kicked in on the day of the event, which helped the pain, and I ended up just suffering normal marathon pain, mainly cramps, during and after the race.
"I was hoping to complete the marathon under three hours but did it in three hours, one minute and 15 seconds, which I was pleased with given my injury and the heat on the day."
Andrew, who also took part in the Manchester Marathon last year, had a "wonderful" experience in the English capital.
He said: "The London Marathon was absolutely brilliant and the excitement for it grew and grew in the build-up.
"The crowds and support were unbelievable and the buzz outstanding; it gives you that extra bit of incentive.
"I wanted to enjoy it and take everything in as you sometimes don't appreciate some of the landmarks you are running past.
"My girlfriend travelled down to support me and when we met up afterwards it was a really humbling experience.
"My legs were done and I got her on the phone and when we were walking down Whitehall I was in my socks and my legs had cramped up and I couldn't walk.
"So people came to help me and I even asked a family if they had sugary sweets and they kindly gave me some.
"Afterwards was the best cold pint of beer I've ever had in my life!
"When I walked into school the next day I asked the kids if they could set up stuff for PE and they were glad to help as they knew I was done in!"
Andrew is a passionate supporter of St Andrew's Hospice - and is extremely grateful for the financial backing he received from kind-hearted people during his latest fundraising effort.
He said: "When I was a pupil at St Margaret's High in Airdrie the school had a lot of involvement with the hospice.
"I am also an Airdrieonians fan and the club has a link with the hospice too, and used to have it as the team's shirt sponsor.
"I hear of friends who know someone who has been in the hospice and the work they do is amazing.
"I am always happy to give up my time for the hospice.
"Running is easy; the hard bit is asking people to put their hands in their pockets, especially with the cost of living.
"I managed to raise £2900 for the hospice this time around and I can't thank people enough for their contributions.
"The hospice couldn't be more appreciative with the amount and it's great to be able to do something to help them out."
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