A SPORTY Helensburgh school pupil has raised more than £700 for charity after completing a 5k run through the town.

Eight-year-old Eve Martin, in P5 at Hermitage Primary, took part in her own Race for Life last weekend to support Cancer Research UK.

Mum Anne, who said she was “nervous about keeping up” with Eve before the pair set off last Saturday, was full of pride for her daughter’s efforts.

She told the Advertiser: “I’m so proud of her and her whole family was behind her supporting her the whole way.

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“I never expected the response we got from everyone and it made her more determined to do it.

“Everything she does she puts her all into.”

After originally setting a target of £100, Eve’s online fund-raising page has collected £760 which will go towards the fight to find a cure for cancer.

Anne said: “During lockdown we were trying to keep fit as she does competitive gymnastics so it was important to keep her going.

“We decided to do the ‘couch to 5k’ together throughout lockdown and I told her about 5ks for charity and she said she wanted to do one.

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“We decided on the Race for Life as cancer affects everyone and we have had family members affected by it.

“We weren’t worried about the time but the aim was to run the full thing.

“Eve pushed through and ran the whole thing without stopping, I was lagging behind as I’m not long back from a rugby injury.

“We started from outside our house near the rugby club and ran along past the East King Street football pitch and finished at her granny and grandpa’s where they had her medal waiting for her - and some well-earned waffles!

“I’ve never taken the leap to do something like this before, it’s just something I’ve always wanted to do but never seem to have time.

“Eve has definitely enjoyed the excitement of seeing people’s generosity and we’re thinking next time we might try a longer run.”

To donate, search fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org for 'Eve Martin'.

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