Black Isle pub quiz sees mum romp past £3K London Marathon target
A BLACK Isle woman taking on the London Marathon to repay a life-or-death debt of gratitude has smashed her £3000 target ahead of the weekend challenge.
Lucy Tonkin’s husband, Stewart, was struck down by a subarachnoid haemorrhage – a bleed on the brain due to a blood vessel bursting – in November 2019.
Although a life-saving operation the next day was successful, there were complications which meant Stewart caught an infection resulting in him being in a coma for 10 days.
There followed a tough period of physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
Of her charity choice, she said: “Without the research being done into brain injuries this story would have been painfully short.
“I am so grateful that research is being done and that improvements are being made all the time. I have no doubt I would not be telling our story with the positive outcome we have had without the help of the amazing charities such as Brain Research UK.”
A pub quiz at The Anderson in Fortrose last weekend was her final fundraising event – and one that took her over her £3000 target. She said: “It was brilliant, well attended and £190 was raised.”
She said: “I would like to thank the business that helped and of course the people who have sponsored me.”
Fundraisers helping her towards the total have included a pub quiz at Fishertown Inn in Cromarty, which was held in October and a coffee stall at the town’s market in December.
She also held a coffee stall at Munlochy market in April.
She thanked businesses who have supported the effort and her raffles.
As a result of mental health issues she faced during Stewart’s journey, she found running a release from the day-to-day stresses that come from supporting a family through a crisis.
She said: “I hope to raise a significant amount of money to help with research so people affected by brain injuries can have the best chance possible to survive and continue to live a happy and fulfilling life and not be limited by their illness.”
Lucy’s fundraising page can be found here.
