Strathaven woman to run marathon for baby charity

Mar 24 2008 By Richard Mooney

STRAHAVEN resident Frances Traille will be running a marathon to raise £1000 for the premature babies’ charity, Piggy Bank Kids.

The 43-year-old felt a huge connection to the charity’s origin where it was set up after Gordon Brown’s daughter, Jennifer, died 10 weeks after being born from a premature birth.

Frances’s own son, Gabrielle, was also born 5 weeks premature. She says, “He was born 5 weeks premature which isn’t desperately premature, but as you can imagine it caused a lot of worry at the time.

Gabrielle, pictured with his mum on the right, was given his name because he was born supposed to be born in 2001, but was actually during the festive season of 2000.

“I realised how lucky I was when I was sitting with the other mothers in the special care unit. There are so many babies that don’t survive in there. For me, it was an very emotional time,” says Frances.

“You do remember the babies that didn’t make it and how fortunate you are yourself.”

As daunting as a marathon maybe to some people the Strathaven housewife, originally from Fort William, looks to it as a meaning full achievement.

Frances explains, “I’ve done things for charity in the past, but this is the most personal one I’ve done.

“This time around it’s all about the my own sense of personal achievement”

The Lochaber Marathon takes place on Monday 28th April. To sponsor Frances you can visit her Justgiving page  and donate there. Her target is £1000, it is currently sitting at around £160.