Woman goes extra mile for Forres support group of Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland in granda's memory

A CUMMINGSTON woman is going the extra mile for a charity close to her heart to mark what would have been her beloved granda's birthday this month.

Jenna Rattray (21) is limbering up for a 24-mile run to raise £1000 for the Forres support group of Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) in memory of Alan Rattray, from Burghead.

Her Granda Alan, who died in 2015, spent many years as Burghead's local bobby. He was Jenna's hero.

Glenfarclas Distillery receptionist Jenna is currently on furlough for a second time. As a running fanatic, she is using the time to push herself further than ever before for the local cause on what would have been Alan's 84th birthday.

Jenna plans to run the distance between her home in Cummingston and her boyfriend Michael Allan's home, in Aberlour, on Saturday, March 27.

Alan suffered a heart attack when Jenna was aged five, and later contracted the debilitating lung condition COPD.

Jenna said: "The night before my 21st, I got emotional because Grandad wasn’t with me. I’d just been put on furlough again and I didn’t want to mope around the house like I did last year when I was on furlough.

"My Grandad was such a great man. He used to be a policeman. He was in the Scots Guards. We laughed that he was like a cat with nine lives because he’d survived cancer twice, then the heart attack and COPD.

"His health had suffered so much before he died. Since we lost him, I feel as though he missed out on so many landmarks in my life, like me learning to drive, graduating, going to work. I miss him so much, so I decided I needed to do something for him.

"This run is all about him."

She added: "It sounds daft, but I can feel Grandad with me when I’m training. It feels like he’s there cheering me on. He never moaned or complained about his health, even though he suffered so much. When I’m struggling with my training, I think of him and keep going."

The regular Speyside Dramathon runner added: "This will be the hardest running challenge that I have ever done."

Megan McFarlane, fundraiser at CHSS, said: "Jenna is a true fundraising superhero.

"Taking on this challenge in memory of her beloved granda is a huge achievement. It is fantastic to have her support and to help raise awareness of COPD, which has a devastating impact on many people and their families across Scotland.

"The money raised from Jenna’s challenge will ensure that people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions, and their families, get the right help and support that they need when they need it most.

"We want to say a massive thank you to her and to everyone who has supported her so far. Jenna has gone above and beyond to make sure that people can do more than survive."

To support Jenna's run with a donation, click here for her Just Giving page.