People are preparing at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove to take on the Great Scottish Run

The Great Scottish Run is fast approaching. We spoke to a few of the participants to find out more about the causes they’re competing for.

Transcript

00:00We are here for the Great Scottish Run.

00:02This year I'll be running for Islamic Relief and the money being raised for the cause in Palestine

00:06for all the young people, the children, who are going through that humanitarian crisis

00:11in terms of malnutrition, dehydration and all the diseases coming about there.

00:15I think that will be my primary focus.

00:17Last year I was made an ambassador for Spina Bifida

00:20and it's a charity that I just feel is so underrepresented.

00:24They are fantastic what they do for kids.

00:26We are hoping to raise money for some local animal sanctuary charities

00:30as well as other kind of charities that are close to vegan runners

00:33including Tower Hill Sanctuary, which a member runs down south, Fiona Oakes

00:37who was involved with the founding of the club.

00:40So my community work over the years has been around engaging with diverse ethnic communities

00:44so allowing them to have sports opportunities, arts opportunities.

00:48I've been working across different communities, be it South Asian, Eastern European, Black

00:52and it's all about giving chance and opportunity.

00:55Over the past seven years I own a performing arts school

00:58and every year we work with a charity called Concerts for Carers.

01:01I think the current political climate is quite nervy, if I'm honest.

01:05We've seen what's happened in England in terms of the riots.

01:09So that whole area of making sure multiculturalism is celebrated

01:13the fact that we understand each other's cultures and faiths

01:15it's a really good time just now.

01:17It's a chance for us to educate people but at the same time it's a chance for us to be a little bit cautious

01:21because we just don't know what other people are thinking and who they want to blame.

01:24And that's why it gives me great pleasure and value to be running for a really worthwhile cause

01:31but also considering all the other brilliant charities that do some great work out there as well.

01:35And I think what we're hoping to do this weekend is raise the profile of the club

01:39show that vegan running is for everyone, it's fun, it's social, it's about having a good time

01:45and living ethically, healthily and compassionately.

01:48I was so shocked at how little support there was for Spina Bifida.

01:52Across the board they get not as half amount of funding as what so many of these large scale organisations

01:58and they've got so much work to do.