A Renfrew woman whose dad is terminally ill is encouraging local residents to get involved in a fitness challenge she has set up.

Heather Dobbin was devastated when her dad George Braid was diagnosed with bowel cancer in April 2019.

Following two operations and various rounds of chemotherapy, the 66-year-old is no longer receiving treatment after his illness was confirmed to be terminal.

Heather has been supporting her dad through this difficult time by organising running challenges to raise funds for several good causes.

The Gazette:

The 36-year-old told The Gazette: "For my dad's 65th birthday last year, I ran 65km in three days.

"I raised just over £2,000 for Cancer Research UK and £2,000 for the oncology unit where my dad has been getting his treatment.

"I wanted to do another challenge for his 66th birthday and I realised that if you add another six to that number, you've got 666.

"That's the devil's number, which is why I've called this year's challenge Beat the Devil."

For this new challenge, Heather will be running 66.6km between Friday, September 1 and Sunday, September 3.

The Gazette:

The mum-of-two is also encouraging others to set their own 666-themed challenge to help raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

Heather said: "If people want to set up their own Beat the Devil challenge, they can run, cycle, swim, or do whatever they want in their own time.

"For example, one of my sisters is going to run 66.6km in a week and her husband is going to try and cycle the same distance in one day.

"I'm also going to get my kids to run 6.66km in two or three days, so I'm hoping to get as many people as possible to do some sort of challenge."

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Heather, who will start working as a PE teacher at Park Mains High in Erskine, hopes that her efforts will help prevent others from suffering the same fate as her family.

She said: "As my dad is deteriorating, I think this year's challenge will be more emotionally draining for me but I'm determined for him to see me doing something positive in the time that he has got.

"I think we all have to continue fighting cancer. Like my dad always says, it's too late for him but if we can make a change or a difference for someone else, then it's worth doing."

To sign up for the Beat the Devil challenge, visit qrco.de/be9NML. To support Heather's fundraising efforts, visit qrco.de/be926N.