Forres Thistle to take on 24-hour run challenge to raise money for Forres Girls FC and Mental Mechanics
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JUNIOR football team Forres Thistle are taking on a 24-hour running challenge to raise money for two local causes.
The Jags’ run will kick off on Friday at 7pm and end on Saturday at the same time, with the aim to raise at least £500.
The money will be split between Forres Girls FC and Mental Mechanics – a newly-founded Edinburgh-based football team with a focus on mental health.
The 24 runners didn’t need much convincing to take the challenge on, according to manager Tony Ross, who is also running.
He said: “My brother Chris organised everything and came up with the two causes.
“Everyone was really keen to get involved and a few boys even volunteered to do the graveyard shifts between midnight and 4am so fair play to them.
“Mental Mechanics is a great cause – especially with an ex-player and Forres boys involved.
“We have got good friends running Forres Girls, so if we can raise a good bit of money for them for kit, transport and equipment that would be great.
“The aim is £500 minimum, if we get more, then all the better. The boys have pushed it on social media and we have had good support which is appreciated by us and I’m sure by the two causes too.
“Forres public: If you see boys running about the town at 2am on Saturday – don’t be alarmed!”
Forres Girls FC, run by Graeme Sutherland, offers girls in primary and secondary school a place to play football – regardless of ability.
And Mental Mechanics, set up by Forres duo Fin Anderson and Jon Fraser, offers men a place to speak about their emotions while playing sport.
Thistle midfielder Ross Paterson said the two causes are very worthy of donation.
He added: “Fin and Jon have done an excellent job pulling together a team down in Edinburgh based around the idea of football and creating a space to speak openly about mental health.
“Despite the season being put on hold due to Covid-19, I know all the boys are itching to start and any donation would help them out massively.
“Forres Girls are a cracking local side and any donation would help them out greatly also.”
There will be a competitive element to the action, too, with the guys vying for a top three spot.
“Mental Mechanics have kindly offered to send up three training tops to those who cover the most distance in their hour slot so I will be hoping to get my hands on one of those,” Paterson added.
“Despite football being off, I’ve tried to get out running as much as I can. The lads have been posting their own runs in our team group chat which has kept us motivated.
“It’s all for a good cause and all the boys are looking forward to doing their bit.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/simon-bremner to donate.
