Colleagues band together for memorial relay run
Date posted
27 February 2018
09:14
Last updated
25 April 2023
A group of colleagues from Edinburgh Napier University are showing true team spirit by taking on a marathon to raise funds for a cause close to one of their hearts.
Gary Seath, whose brother David tragically died during the 2016 London Marathon, works in the Development and External Relations department of the University. He and fellow colleagues Ben Waite, Alan Bree and Craig Shearer are joining forces to tackle the Edinburgh Marathon Festival Team Relay in May in support of The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund.
Gary said: “I have been overwhelmed by the kindness many of my colleagues have expressed since I joined Edinburgh Napier University, who have generously donated money and taken on challenge events in support of the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund. I’m very much looking forward to taking on the relay with the guys, who have made a wonderful gesture in support of my brother’s legacy.”
Gary established the fund following the death of David (31), a captain in 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery who collapsed just three miles short of the finish line during the London Marathon.
So far it has raised £276,000 and provided more than 240 welfare grants to personnel and veterans of the British Armed Forces living with life-changing physical injuries and psychological trauma through Help for Heroes, the charity David was running for that day.
Ben, Alan and Craig take part in regular park run events at Cramond and Vogrie, and it was on the starting line of one particular race that discussions turned to taking on marathons in support of good causes.
“Taking part regularly in park run events has provided a great opportunity to get to know one another and we had talked about the possibility of progressing to longer endurance races,” they said. “Working alongside Gary, we are aware of the memorial fund he has set up in memory of his brother as well as Edinburgh Napier University’s strong link with the Armed Forces. Therefore, it made perfect sense to nominate the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund.”
The team will cover 26.2 miles, starting at Potterrow and taking in a host of iconic Edinburgh landmarks before finishing in Musselburgh.
You can support the team’s incredible efforts through their JustGiving page.