President's marathon raises £13,000 for charities

Professor Stuart Reid, our President and Principal of the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), has raised nearly £13,000 (including Gift Aid) for mental health and animal welfare charities by running the Virgin Money London Marathon.

Stuart completed the 26 mile and 385 yard run in four hours and 51 minutes and, in the process, raised money for three charities with a particular focus on mental health and wellbeing, beating his target of £10,000.

The money will be split between his three nominated charities - the RVC Animal Care Trust which will use the funds to assist the student bodies at the UK vet schools; the Veterinary Benevolent Fund which, through its 24/7 Helpline and Health Support Programme, provides support directly to the profession; and, mental health charity Mind.

Stuart comments: “To be perfectly honest it was probably a bit daft to run a marathon in my presidential year but when I see how much we have raised I know it was the right thing to do.

“I have been utterly humbled by the generosity and the words of encouragement on my Virgin Money Giving website and via text and Twitter and it is clear my chosen charities have touched a chord with many. I am so very grateful to everybody who chipped in.

"There's plenty to do so let's get on with addressing our mental health issues.”

Donations can still be made to these charities via Stuart’s Virgin Money Giving website.