It’s been a marathon effort but finally, ScotRail train driver John Patrick has reached his destination to raise much needed cash for an armed forces charity.
John, from Baillieston in Glasgow, took on the Half Century Challenge, to do 50 repetitions of different exercises every day for a month in the run up to his 50th birthday.
The super-fit Tae Kwon Do 2nd Dan black belt was cheered on by his children Callum, 12, Abigail who’s nine and wife Angela. They recorded many of the challenges on video including their dad successfully completing 50 press ups, star jumps, squat thrusts, roly-polies and ninja kicks.
John was an airman in the RAF for 10 years from 1988 to 1997 and then served for three more in the Auxiliary Air Force. It was no surprise he chose to raise the money for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund when he found out their donations had been hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
John, who has worked for ScotRail for 15 years and is based in Glasgow’s Queen Street Station, set a target of £500, but easily eclipsed that and has now raised more than £2,800.
The fund provides financial help as well as counselling to all members of the RAF whether they are still serving or veterans.
John’s donation has already been used to give 80 hours of counselling to veterans who are isolating due to coronavirus.
ScotRail train driver, John, said:
“As I was approaching the big 5-0, I thought about what I could do to help make some people’s lives a bit better in the run up to Christmas, especially with everything that’s happened this year.
"It was a no brainer to give something back to the RAF, where I served for 10 years and that’s why I chose the RAF Benevolent Fund.
“I’m very lucky to have such generous friends and family and the mates I work with at ScotRail were all behind me too.
“It was really hard work, but I’m so glad it’s paid off and the money will be going to such a great cause at a time when all charities are really struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic.”
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