Published: Thursday, 14th August, 2008 08:10
Beth foot forward
Comments (0)
Print Article
FOR Beth Vokurka, it will be a case of ‘slowly but surely’ when the determined mother-of-two takes part in the challenging Great North Run.
Seasoned marathon runner Beth, 35, of Bank Road, East Linton is part of a group of 30 people from the village and North Berwick, hoping to raise £20,000 for The Multiple Sclerosis Society by completing the half-marathon on October 5.
However, what sets Beth apart from her colleagues in ‘Team Leuchie Leuchie’ – named after the MS respite centre at Leuchie House, by North Berwick – is that she suffers from MS herself.
“Having MS has not stopped me from trying to lead an active life,” said Beth, who lives with husband Lee and their two children, Ashley, 2, and Ripley, 4.
“I ran in the London Marathon in 1997 and have also run in the Great North Run several times before. It does take a while for me to complete the race courses, as I am quite slow.”
A question setter for the popular TV quiz show University Challenge and part-time business advisor, Beth was first diagnosed with MS in 1992, aged just 19, prior to moving to Scotland from her native Chicago.
“When I am running I have to be very focused and I cannot afford to stop because I find it extremely hard to get going again,” she explained. “I am really looking forward to this next challenge and (butcher) Ryan (Anderson) has done a great job pulling it all together.”
This year’s group effort has been organised by East Linton butcher Ryan, who raised £6,000 for charity when he completed the 13-mile challenge solo last year.
He said: “I think it’s a tremendous gesture by Beth to put herself forward for this challenge, knowing her condition. If anyone is looking for real inspiration they should look no further than her.”
To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/leuchieleuchie
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Callous break-in at church deprives poor kids abroad of Xmas gifts