AN ICONIC Scottish song has inspired a kind-hearted family support worker to take on an impressive challenge.

Julie LaRoche is no stranger to running challenges and previously completed three half-marathons to raise funds and awareness for Home-Start East Lothian.

This year, she decided to do something a little bit different and laced up her running shoes with a vision of running 500 miles – inspired by the famous The Proclaimers hit I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).

Julie, who has worked with Tranent-based Home-Start East Lothian for three years, said: “I’ve really enjoyed the challenge.

“I started running a few years ago to give myself a bit of headspace and get out and get a bit fitter.

“I did the Edinburgh 10k in 2016, which was my first ever run, and built it up.

“I did them for Home-Start East Lothian every time to raise awareness and raise money for them.

“Last year, I did the Scottish Half Marathon, which I did the year before as well.

“I did it two minutes slower than the year before and I was gutted; I was devastated.

“I thought that I needed to think about why I am doing this and I’m doing it to keep me fit and healthy, to get out in the fresh air and keep my mental health good.

“I wanted to do something which is more about the miles than the time and for some reason The Proclaimers song had been in my head and I thought I could do 500 miles.”

As well as clocking up the miles, the mum-of-three has been raising awareness about Home-Start East Lothian.

The volunteer befriending organisation provides friendship and support to families all across East Lothian.

Julie, 43, who has already raised more than £400 for her latest challenge, previously volunteered with the group before becoming a family support worker.

She said: “I was a volunteer for four years before being lucky enough to get a job doing something that I love – but being a small charity we are always looking for ways to increase both the awareness of the services we provide and also to fundraise as much as possible to help us fund the work we do. This year I decided I would like a new challenge which was more about the miles and less about the finishing times – so I came up with the 500 Mile Challenge.”

The aim was to run 500 miles, including training runs and organised events, during 2019.

She reached the milestone when approaching the halfway point of the Stirling Marathon last month but has no intention of hanging up her running shoes just yet.

Instead, having already run 500 miles, she now wants to echo The Proclaimers and... run 500 more!

She said: “I’m going for the thousand miles.

“I’m at 572 miles just now and I am doing the Edinburgh 10k next Saturday and have got a couple of half marathons after that.”

It is not just Julie, from Macmerry, who has got the running bug.

She said: “As part of this journey I got involved in the initial set up of the Meadowmill Parkrun and regularly now volunteer or run at it on a weekly basis – this is a fantastic free running event which encourages people from all ages and fitness levels to benefit from running.

“I have also set up running groups in both Sanderson’s Wynd and Macmerry Primary Schools to encourage the children to get out and enjoy some exercise and help me reach my target.”

Sponsor Julie at justgiving.com/Julie-LaRoche5