Marc (pictured in his Cornerstone t-shirt) is running the Edinburgh marathon and the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for Cornerstone. His brother, Shaun (pictured below) was supported by Cornerstone in Peterhead for 10 years until he passed away in 2021. In his memory, Marc is raising money for the service that cared for Shaun. 

Marc told us a little bit about Shaun. “Ever since Shaun was little, he just loved animals. His Cornerstone support team would sometimes take him to help out at a local farm which he loved. He also enjoyed walking along the harbour at Peterhead to see the seals. Being out and about was one of his favourite things; he would speak to everybody and had the most incredible memory – he never forgot a face. If he spoke to someone once, that was it, they were a friend for life.” 

“Cornerstone were so good for Shaun, and the difference they made from day one, until the day we lost him was transformative.  When he was younger my mum had to do a lot for him but when he was with Cornerstone he became so independent. Obviously he had carers helping him but he was doing so much for himself. And so, if I was going to raise money for any charity, Cornerstone seemed like a very good choice.”  

Although Mark has been running for a couple of years, this is his first time fundraising. He’s never done anything like this before but has already risen to the challenge with sponsor forms and football scratch cards at the ready! He’s also created a Just Giving page which his family helps to share on social media.

Previously Marc has completed a few half-marathons but the Edinburgh marathon will be his first full marathon. 

“It’s something new, I’ve not got close to that distance before so I’m looking forward to race day. Running a marathon is an achievement in itself.” 

But why stop with a marathon? Marc is also aiming to take his fundraising to all new heights by challenging himself to do the Three Peaks Challenge! This challenge will send Marc up the tallest mountain in Scotland, Wales and England; Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike, for a total 23 miles of walking and 10,052ft of vertical ascent, all within 24 hours. 

“I like hill walking anyway and I saw you could do the challenge to raise money for your chosen charity at the same time. So I thought it would be a good thing to do." 

To train for the challenge, Marc has been going on hikes, most recently a 19km walk around Bennachie. He’s excited to try out new training peaks too . 

“I’m trying to get around as much as I can, hopefully I’ll climb all the Munros. So I can train while I see bits of the country at the same time.” 

He plans to divide time between marathon training and hikes, aiming to climb Ben Nevis a few times in the spring in preparation.  

Going by his half-marathon time, Marc aims to run the Edinburgh marathon in three and a half hours or three hours twenty if he really pushes himself.  

If you would like to help Marc raise money for Cornerstone and help us to continue providing care for people just like Shaun, please donate here.