UofG academic runs 250km for charity

Published: 23 February 2017

Ade Kearns, Professor of Urban Studies at Glasgow University, helped raise £2,700 for charity by running twenty-five 10km races.

Ade Kearns, Professor of Urban Studies at the University of Glasgow, has helped raise £2,700 for a local charity by running a breath-taking twenty five 10km races.

Ade raised the funds for four local charities: 3D Drumchapel; Kingsway Court Health & Wellbeing Centre, Scotstoun; Nan McKay Community Hall in Pollokshields; Rosemount Lifelong Learning in Royston. He joined the Garscube Harriers running club in order to train up for his hard-pounding effort.

Ade presented the last of his cheques a few days ago to the 3D charity. 3D is based in Drumchapel in the West of Glasgow and works with children and families providing a range of activities and support. He made the presentation at one of 3D's Family Lunch events, having managed to complete all the races well ahead of schedule. Originally, he planned to stagger the road races over two years, but the pacy pedagogue sped through all twenty-five in just 16 months.

"It was a challenge!"

Ade's achievement might help to inspire anyone whose new year’s resolution to get more exercise hasn’t managed to get out of the blocks so far this year. Despite running the distance between Glasgow and Newcastle, he was no race-running veteran. He said: “I had only ever run one 10k before doing this. It was a challenge!” Ade has taken a keen interest in Drumchapel through the GoWell project, a research and learning programme that aims to investigate the impact of investment in housing, regeneration and neighbourhood renewal in Glasgow on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities.

Sharon Colvin, Project Manager at 3D Drumchapel, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with Professor Kearns’s donation, and really impressed with his determination and stamina!

“His donation will help us to continue to offer a wide variety of vital activities and services for families, to provide support, strengthen relationships, and empower positive change."

Image of Professor Ade Kearns handing over his charity cheque to 3D Drumchapel.

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First published: 23 February 2017