Hunterston B worker runs up charity total

A security guard at EDF’s Hunterston B power station has raised more than £1000 for Prostate Cancer UK after taking part in the charity’s “Run the Month” challenge.

John Frew, from West Kilbride, was inspired to run 50 miles in a month after finding out that 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lives.

John said: “Just a couple of days after signing up for the challenge my wife’s uncle had the dreadful news that he had prostate cancer. Luckily he was diagnosed early, has had an operation and things are looking good for a full recovery but it really spurred me on.

“I am not really one for running so I started off doing 3km runs then built up my distance to 5km with the occasional 7km. West Kilbride is all hills so it was tough at first and the only thing that pushed me through was the thought of all the families in pain over loved ones fighting against cancer.”

John’s target was £200 but he smashed that, raising £1,160, which, as Prostate Cancer UK is EDF’s corporate charity, will be matched by the company.

This is the end of year one of a three year partnership and while Covid-19 has made the usual fundraising efforts more challenging Hunterston B has still managed to raise £3,726.75 for the charity. That has included John’s run and other activities like a Christmas gate collection which raised £773.

Station Director, Paul Forrest, said: “This year has brought some really big challenges as we have all gotten to grips with the pandemic. We’ve had to change the ways we work and interact with each other so I’m delighted that, even in these strange times, John and others on site have still found ways to support charity.”