AN inspirational Lanarkshire teenager is running 5K every day to raise funds for St Andrew’s Hospice in memory of his uncle.
Aidan Noon, 19, has embarked on his November challenge in tribute to his uncle Gordon, who sadly passed away at the Airdrie hospice last year after battling cancer.
Gordon, 68, lost his battle to the disease last December after suffering from an aggressive form of kidney cancer.
Aidan told the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser: “My uncle Gordon had been in the hospice for about seven or eight weeks when he died.
“He passed away just before Christmas. It kind of just came on and it was aggressive.”
Aidan, a customer service advisor for Virgin Media, wanted to thank the staff at the Henderson Street palliative care centre, who not only cared for his godfather, but also supported the family at their time of need.
He said: “All the staff there were brilliant with him and made him feel that he wasn’t alone.
“We just had a laugh with him and they kept it real. That’s what he liked.”
The thoughtful teenager is donning his trainers every day this month to pound the streets near his Carluke home in a bid to raise money for the Monklands charity.
Thanks to well-wishers, he has already raised more than £700, but hopes to raise even more by the end of the month.
Even though he is a novice runner, Aidan has taken his training regime seriously by running on a treadmill, lifting weights and going on regular street runs at night.
He explained: “During lockdown I started running a wee bit, but I was never really very good. I did the 5K for the NHS and that’s where the idea came from.
“It has motivated me to push myself further. It’s easy to give up but I’ve raised so much money already and I can’t let people down.”
Aidan has been supported by his parents, Michelle and Stuart, and siblings Kieran, Natalie and Jasmine, who could not be more proud.
He said: “My mum and dad couldn’t be any more supportive. Because it’s for my dad’s brother he is over the moon.
“My brother Kieran did something like this a few years ago.
“He’s been giving me lots of advice, but the best I’ve had is just put one foot in front of the other until you need to stop.
“I’m sure my uncle Gordon would probably laugh and tell me some kind of joke if he was still here. He was always the joker in the family.”
Aidan, who will be powering through his month’s challenge with a smile, hopes the residents of Monklands and beyond will lend their support.
To donate to Aidan’s fundraising campaign, visit https://uk.gofundme.com/f/aidansfundraiserSAA
