Woman's 100-mile run in memory of beloved 'grandpo' goes a long way to help Keith's Turner Memorial Hospital
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A FORMER Keith Grammar School pupil has raised hundreds of pounds for the town's hospital though a 100-mile run in tribute to her grandad.
Melanie Johnstone (46), originally from Rothiemay and now a school catering manager in Bexleyheath, Kent, raised £630 by tackling the Autumn 100 this month.
A Guinness world record holder as the youngest female to run 100 marathons, Melanie was determined to show her gratitude to staff at Keith's Turner Memorial Hospital who looked after her beloved "grandpo", farmer Jock Strathdee.
Jock, who farmed at North Retanach Farm in Rothiemay, passed away in February this year.
Melanie missed out on being able to say goodbye at his funeral at Rothiemay Church due to Covid-19 restrictions in place at the time.
As a memorial to Jock and to help a cause he would have approved of, Melanie took on the Autumn 100 on October 16. The run follows four different spurs, including the Thames path, the Ridgeway and South Downs Way.
She completed the race in 26 hours 58 minutes.
Melanie handed over a cheque to the League of Friends of Turner Memorial Hospital last week.
She said: "The run went really well. The conditions were just perfect, apart from some rain in the last five miles or so.
"Because it was four 25-mile spurs I broke it down into four sections and just concentrated on running each section at a time.
"I carried on through the night and for the last 25 miles my other half ran with me as a pacer to help push me through."
The money may go towards new wheelchairs and to replace furniture in the public areas and day room of the hospital.
Margaret Lloyd, chair of the League of Friends, said: "We're absolutely delighted and very impressed with Melanie's efforts. She's done a magnificent job raising this money.
"The idea of running 100 miles – I can't imagine. She has done this in memory of someone she was very, very fond of and it's a great tribute to him.
"Although our group is in good heart financially, our usual source of funds are, sadly, funeral collections. They've not been happening to the same extent over the pandemic.
"We also haven't been able to hold our coffee morning for the last two years, so we are very grateful for money coming in from these sources."
People can still donate to Melanie’s fundraiser here.
