A professional football referee has vowed to run the equivalent of ten marathons throughout the month of May to raise money for Scotland’s NHS heroes.
Billy Baxter, 51, a Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) apprenticeships manager who referees in his spare time, decided to put his May furlough leave to good use by running 262 miles in aid of NHS Charities Together.
Mr Baxter, from Inverness, said: “Inspired by some of the great things others are achieving right now in spite of the horrors of coronavirus, I decided to set myself a challenge to try raise some money for the NHS.
“I have set myself a deadline of the end of May to complete all my marathons.
“I have a reasonable fitness level as a part-time referee – but ten marathons is undoubtedly going to be a challenge.
“I’ve completed four so far – this warm weather is definitely helping.”
Mr Baxter – whose daughter Katie is a trainee nurse and sister Pamela is recovering from the virus – has already raised more than £1300 as part of the NHS 2020 Do What You Can challenge.
He added: “I have been incredibly touched and humbled by the generous donations.
“It would be fantastic just to raise as much as possible in order to help our incredibly brave doctors, nurses and hospital staff to continue to deliver their outstanding care.”
Meanwhile, Mr Baxter’s other daughter Megan has been uploading his athletic adventures online and will post regularly throughout the challenge.
To donate, click here.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
