A Dumfries teacher is set to run a marathon round the town in aid of the world’s largest humanitarian airline.
Chris Rossi, who teaches physics at St Joseph’s College, is determined to run a 26.2 mile route in his 40th year.
He will be raising money for Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), in the process.
Chris has mapped out a route circumnavigating Dumfries including the Maidenbower path, and will complete his first marathon next Friday as part of MAF Scotland’s 7&5 – a campaign celebrating 75 years of the charity which now flies to more destinations than any other airline.
So far he has helped raise almost £17,000, along with various volunteers across Scotland.
Although he considers himself an amateur runner, Chris says the hobby has kept him “mentally strong” during the pandemic, which saw his classroom teaching job transform overnight into months of online lessons.
Chris said: “During lockdown, I did PE every morning with my seven-year-old son Matthew, then we started running. Now he can run over 3km, which I’m so proud of. Running has really helped me keep mentally strong during a very tough season.”
Chris said: “MAF is a charity that flies vital cargo – including vaccines, medicine, food and doctors to help those living in real need and isolation. I’ve seen it first-hand, and I know the money I raise will go straight to help people living in real isolation.”
