Craig’s running for tragic sister Donna

2019 Braw Lad Robbie Lowrie with his aunt Donna, pictured shortly before she died.

Craig Lowrie, whose son Robbie carried the flag for Galashiels in 2019, said the family wanted to do something to honour his sister Donna by after she tragically died in a car accident just before Robbie carried out his duties.

Craig said: “Donna was full of excitement and pride at her nephew Robbie being Braw Lad and would’ve loved following him around the Borders festivals.

“Two weeks before the summer rideouts began, Donna and her family were involved in a car accident. On June 4, Donna lost her fight.”

And now footballer Craig, who is 42, has taken on the task of running 10k at each Borders town on the day of its main festival, starting with Hawick on Friday.

He’s already raised over £960 of a £1,000 target on his GoFundMe page, and hopes to raise as much as he can.

He said: “I know there are no common ridings this year, but that does not mean there are no costs.

“The towns have been unable to hold their regular fundraisers, such as balls and coffee mornings either, due to the pandemic. I’m asking people to mention the town they would like the money to go to.

“I know not everyone is interested in the festivals, so there is another option, for the money to go to ward 15 of the BGH. They were brilliant with my daughter Jorja in the first six years of her life, as she had to have 25 blood transfusions.”

Craig hopes to be able to run in all the places Robbie rode in last year as he was representing Galashiels, as far as lockdown rules apply.

He said: “I’m looking at running Hawick, Selkirk, Melrose, Peebles, Gala, Jedburgh, Duns, Innerleithen, Kelso, Musselburgh, Lauder and Coldstream.

“Innerleithen doesn’t have a rideout, but it is Donna’s home town, which is why it’s in the list.”

Look out for Craig this Friday on Hawick High Street at around 10.30am as he begins his challenge.

To donate, click here.

Craig said: “Lockdown rules still apply, but I’ll be able to do Hawick, Selkirk, Melrose and Galashiels, and by then hopefully I’ll be able to travel a bit further afield.

“Most of the money I’ve raised so far is for Gala and the children’s ward, so it would be nice if people from other towns got involved, and perhaps raise a bit more cash for their own town.”