Edinburgh man takes on double marathon in memory of 'selfless' best friend
An Edinburgh man is taking on an 86-kilometre challenge in memory of his best friend who tragically died by suicide last year.
Thomas Robertson, 20, is set to run from the University of St. Andrews to the school they both attended, Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, on Sunday, July 6 to raise vital funds for Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH).
He has already raised an incredible £20,000 ahead of the challenge, which will be donated in honour of Finlay MacDonald.
Thomas said: 'Finlay was an amazing friend to me. He was caring, loving, selfless, and all his priority was that everyone around him was okay.
'His passing was a massive shock and left me questioning why such terrible things happen to the best of people. It made me realise just how important mental health is and how much more needs to be done to support it.
'I wanted to start my run at Finlay's university in St Andrews, before finishing at our school in Edinburgh where we were classmates.'
The money that Thomas raises from this epic challenge, which is longer than two back-to-back marathons, will go towards funding SAMH's Peer Supporter programme.
This programme sets out to increase the mental health knowledge and skills of young people, parents and carers, volunteers and staff through free workshops and information sessions in schools.
Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
He added: 'I wanted something that was going to resonate with Finlay, who struggled with mental health during school. SAMH's programme creates a really warm, safe environment where kids can just talk about mental health mental and help remove the stigma.'
Catriona Wilson, Mass Participation Events Manager at SAMH, said: "We're honoured that Thomas has chosen to support SAMH with this incredible challenge.
'Our Peer Supporter programme has helped over 10,000 people in South Lanarkshire alone, and with the help of Thomas and everyone who has donated so far, at least 12 additional schools in Edinburgh will now benefit.
'By sharing his story, Thomas has also helped reduce the stigma around suicide and mental health. We can't wait to join his friends and family as we celebrate with him at the finish line on Sunday.'
Thomas's challenge will finish at Merchiston Castle School with a lap of the school's cross country course and anyone wishing to join him on his run is welcome to at any time.
Rev. Nick Blair, Chaplain at the school, said: "Community defines Merchiston. A year ago, we mourned with the MacDonald family after losing their beloved Finlay. Today, we unite again, supporting his close friend Thomas, whose fundraising effort in Finlay's memory is deeply moving.
"The solidarity from old boys, parents, staff and pupils shows who we are: a community that stands together. It's also a moment to stress that young men must never feel ashamed to discuss their mental health.
"Breaking silence saves lives. Today, we run with Thomas and raise our voices with SAMH, honouring Finlay and supporting vital mental health work."
As well as raising funds, Thomas is also encouraging those suffering from mental health problems to ask for help. He added: "Reach out and ask for help. What I would look at as a strong man is someone who looks for help when they're struggling."
You can donate to his fundraiser here.
For more information or support on the issues discussed in this article, visit samh.org.uk
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
16-07-2025
- BBC News
Dedicated Wolverhampton school nurse retires after 50 years
A "much loved" school nurse in Wolverhampton is retiring after a 50-year career in the Thomas has spent the past five decades devoted to the health and wellbeing of children and families across the city, the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust has spent the last 38 years as a school nurse in Bilston, finding herself caring for the children of the parents she once looked described her career as "the privilege of a lifetime" adding that she will miss all her colleagues, parents and the children. Her career started in August 1975 as a cadet at New Cross Hospital before working in microbiology and on the children's ward at the former Royal Hospital."In 1976 I worked at Penn Children's Hospital which was eye opening - caring for some of the most vulnerable," she also also spent some time working at the city's Eye Infirmary."It was very strict there - you would have to stand up every time a matron came into the room. I learnt a lot there," she then moved into school nursing in June 1986. 'So much care and compassion' "When I see the sons and daughters of former children I was a nurse for coming through the doors, I feel such joy knowing I've been part of their family's journey for generations," she said."I will really miss my colleagues - we feel like one big family. They are all fantastic and do an amazing job."I will miss everything about the job - the parents, the children and the staff."Emma Jones, group management PA for children's community services and children and young people in care (CYPIC), said Mrs Thomas was her school nurse as she was growing up in Bilston and said she would be missed by everyone."I remember her being someone that was always there to offer help, guidance and support to myself and other pupils at school. She demonstrated so much care and compassion," she said."Now looking at things from a different perspective, I have been working with the School Nursing Service for 15 years and Julie's passion and dedication to her role has remained consistent through the years."Hazel Hawkins-Dady, matron for School Nursing, thanked her for her dedication and added that the team wished her every happiness in her new chapter. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Edinburgh Live
07-07-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh man leads tributes for 'caring and selfless' friend after tragic loss
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Edinburgh man has completed a touching for his best friend after a tragic loss. Thomas Robertson met Finlay MacDonald at school in Edinburgh, and the pair went on to study at the University of St Andrews. Finlay was lost to suicide last year, with those who loved him hailing him as a 'caring and selfless' young man. On July 6, Thomas ran from St Andrews to Merchiston Castle School in the capital. He was joined by friends and family for the final kilometre, and feels 'relieved to have something so terrible have a positive impact'. The run raised over £28,800 for Scottish Action for Mental Health. It will support at least 12 schools, who will benefit from the charity's peer supporter programme. Thomas, 20, said: "I wanted to start my run at Finlay's university in St Andrews, before finishing at our school in Edinburgh where we were classmates. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "The run gave me a lot of time to think about Finlay, and how lucky I was to have him as a friend. It was really fun waking up every day knowing you're going to see your best friend. "There are so many Finlays out there who have lost their lives to suicide, and it just shows how much more we need to do. "I'm relieved that something so terrible that happened will now have a positive impact on schools in Edinburgh. People see the value in supporting mental health, and I'm really grateful that people have been generous enough to donate." (Image: SAMH) Catriona Wilson, Mass Participation Events Manager at SAMH, said: 'It's been an absolute privilege to support Thomas in this challenge, and to witness the strength and heart he's poured into honouring Finlay's memory in such a powerful way. "Thomas's incredible efforts have helped reduce the stigma around suicide and encouraged people to open up and ask for help. With his help, and everyone who has donated, at least 12 additional schools will now benefit from SAMH's Peer Supporter programme." Rev. Nick Blair, Chaplain at Merchiston Castle School where Thomas and Finlay were pupils together, said:"Community defines Merchiston. A year ago, we mourned with the MacDonald family after losing their beloved Finlay. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. "Today, we unite again, supporting his close friend Thomas, whose fundraising effort in Finlay's memory is deeply moving. The solidarity from old boys, parents, staff and pupils shows who we are: a community that stands together. "It's also a moment to stress that young men must never feel ashamed to discuss their mental health. Breaking silence saves lives. "Today, we run with Thomas and raise our voices with SAMH, honouring Finlay and supporting vital mental health work."
Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Infected blood scandal victims will get paid quicker, minister promises
Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has told officials to "do what is necessary to remove barriers and speed up payments." Victims of the infected blood scandal will get their payments more quickly, ministers have promised. Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has told officials to "do what is necessary to remove barriers and speed up payments." The body set up to pay out compensation to victims and families will learn from programmes set up to deliver financial support during the pandemic, and will use records from the public inquiry into the scandal to help claimants prove their eligibility. The Cabinet Office says it will also "accept greater commercial risk" to make sure compensation payments come more quickly. Mr Thomas-Symonds said: "While no amount of money will compensate for the suffering that people have endured, I want to ensure that we're delivering payments as quickly as possible.' Some 30,000 people in the UK are thought to have been given infected blood or blood products up until the mid-1990s. More than 25,000 got hepatitis C, while a further 1,200 ended up with HIV in treatments for haemophilia. An estimated 3,000 people have died as a result. The 2,527-page report from the Infected Blood Inquiry, published last year (2024), found the scandal 'could largely have been avoided' and there was a "pervasive" cover-up to hide the truth. It identified a "catalogue of systemic, collective and individual failures" that amounted to a "calamity". Former prime minister Rishi Sunak issued a "wholehearted and unequivocal" apology to the victims, saying the publication of the report into the disaster was 'a day of shame for the British state'.
