An 83-year-old from Ayr has being doing her bit to support her fundraising daughter by walking round the King George V playing fields six times every day.

Barbara Strachan, who has been a resident of Heathfield Road for the past 60 years, will be completing the circuit of the park behind her house six times (three miles) each day for five weeks to raise money for a charity fundraiser organised by her daughter Ann Atkins, a champion indoor rower.

Ann has been fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity by rowing 20 miles a day in recognition for the all the amazing work they do. Ann’s inspiration comes from her 18-year-old daughter Iona, who has been living with a brain tumour for 13 years.

Ann has obviously inherited much of her mother’s strength. Barbara has battled with leukaemia and skin cancer in recent years.

Barbara said: “I’d certainly do anything for Iona, because she’s actually very much like me. It doesn’t bother me, I’ve not been able to go up to my club, the Bannatyne, for obvious reasons, so I’m doing more walking than ever. I’m at the club three times a week usually, so if I can’t go there I may as well go for a walk in the park.”

Ann and Iona live in Solihull, England, where Barbara will often travel to to help out with fundraising events, but owing to COVID-19 she’s had to support from afar.

Barbara is an active member of the community who regularly raises money for the charity. She is currently helping her neighbours out by doing the shopping for some, one of whom has recently suffered the loss of a partner to COVID-19.

Barbara said: “We’ve got a lovely community round here. I’ve been raising money for the Brain Tumour Charity for some years now and a lot of people in Ayr have helped, they’ve been very good.”

Katie Sharkey, Senior Community Fundraiser for The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “We continue to be inspired by all the support and fundraising efforts that Ann takes on, galvanising her family and friends and the local community.

“With the unwavering support from her mum Barbara, and indeed Barbara’s own fundraising efforts, they epitomise the dedication of all our charity supporters during these difficult lockdown times, determined to make a difference for everyone affected.

“We receive no government funding and rely 100 per cent on voluntary donations, so it’s only through the efforts of people like Ann and Barbara, that we can bring hope to the thousands of people who are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year.”

Donations are welcome here: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/GOFORIT2020.

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