A GALASHIELS man has donated funds to Musselburgh’s Honest Toun’s Association in memory of his sister, who was killed in a car crash.

Craig Lowrie, 43, took on a running challenge after the family tragedy in 2019, raising just over £8,000 for festival committees and the children’s ward at Borders General Hospital.

His son Robbie, now 23, was appointed Braw Lad in Galashiels in April 2019.

But just two weeks before the start of the summer festivals, Mr Lowrie’s sister Donna, 36, from Innerleithen, a married mum-of-three, died in a car crash on the A72 between Galashiels and Walkerburn.

Mr Lowrie said: “Our family were so proud and excited for the summer ahead. Donna was so looking forward to following Robbie around the Border festivals.”

With no festivals taking place in 2020, Mr Lowrie decided to run 10k in each of the towns Robbie rode in in 2019 – Hawick, Selkirk, Melrose, Peebles, Galashiels, Jedburgh, Duns, Kelso, Innerleithen, Musselburgh, Lauder and Coldstream.

His aim was to raise funds for the festival committees in each of the towns and for the children’s ward at Borders General Hospital, in memory of Donna.

Mr Lowrie said: “I ran myself but, by the time I got to Musselburgh, ex-principals, current principals and committee members were coming forward to run with me.

“By the time I had completed all 12 festivals, I had been nominated for a Pride of Britain Award, received Community Champion Award from Galashiels Rotary Club and was presented with common riding ties and pin badges, which was all totally unexpected.”

For the Musselburgh 10k, Mr Lowrie was joined by Alison Elgin, president of the Honest Toun’s Association, which organises the annual Musselburgh Festival.

She said: “We were delighted to be able to support Craig in his fundraising and very grateful for the donation we received. We strive to make each festival as good as it can be and as accessible to everyone in our community as possible, and all donations are welcome.”

Also taking part in the run were Katie McLaren, Honest Lass in 2018; Dean Bosworth, Honest Lad 1996; and Ian Ritchie, Honest Lad 1989, who was appointed Chief Marshal for Festival Saturday, on his bike.

Their route took them from Musselburgh Racecourse along High Street to Inveresk and Wallyford.

Honest Lad 2019 Aidan Maguire and Honest Lass Claire Dougal joined them for the final leg as they made their way to Fisherrow Harbour, where they were piped through the finish line. They then headed to Sizzlers burger van for breakfast rolls.

Mr Lowrie said: “The welcome I received in Musselburgh was fantastic. I was well looked after by the Honest Toun’s Association committee. I’ll definitely look forward to visiting as a spectator in future festivals. The generosity of the public in each town has been phenomenal, as we raised £8,003.”