Virtual Elf Family Fun Run raises over £11,200 for Maggie's Forth Valley

Cameron Shanks (60), who has stomach cancer, secured the support of the football side he’s followed since he was a boy for a virtual Elf Family Fun Run held by Maggie’s Forth Valley.

Sunday’s socially distanced event saw more than 80 participants dress up and complete routes of their own choosing to generate cash for the Larbert-based centre.

So far, £11,289 has been raised for the facility, which provides invaluable support to those fighting cancer.

As the Camelon Juniors kitman, Mr Shanks took it upon himself to orchestrate the club’s 4.5k efforts.

After officially starting the race at Carmuirs Park, he made sure players and coaching staff knew the route to the cancer treatment centre, which Mr Shanks has raised more than £50,000 for since his diagnosis.

He and his family then made their way to The Nina Barough Building to cheer on the runners as they crossed the finish line.

Wife Claire and her Tesco Redding colleagues added £240 to the pot by running 8k round the supermarket’s car park.

However, having received £735 in sponsorship, it was his granddaughter, Emily, who really stole the show by walking laps round the facility’s pond.

Mr Shanks: “It went absolutely brilliantly.

“We were thinking about 20 of us would make about £50 each to get to £1000 but between them it was just over £4500.

“We set off in a staggered start. The management team went first, followed by the goalkeepers. Then there were two groups of speedsters.

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“It turned out one of the goalkeepers got up to third place! John Millar, the coach, won. Second was his assistant Eamon Fullerton and Calum Gray, the goalkeeper, was third.

“The team have got a real togetherness. I thought it would be difficult to sell it to them – dressing up as elves and running about – but they just bought into it right away.

“Some were making £300 to £400 in donations each. I’m really, really proud of them. I’m privileged to be working with such a great bunch of guys.

“Everybody in the family got involved. To raise more than £5000 was just fantastic.

“Hopefully, if things get back to normal, I’ll be able to do it again next year.”

Cristina Pouso, Maggie’s fundraising manager, said: “We knew our event wouldn’t be the same this year as we couldn’t have all our elves running through Larbert Woods as we normally would.

“But we have been so humbled by our little elf community who have come together regardless.

“We still have some offline donations to come but we are so grateful to everyone who took part. It was so much fun to welcome the Camelon Juniors football team when they finished their route at the centre.

“The whole team did amazingly and really got into the spirit of the event by dressing up as elves.

“As we’ve said all along – you really can’t keep a good elf down and we’re already excited to bring our elf event back to Larbert Woods next year on Sunday, December 5.

“Thanks so much to everyone who took part, dressed up as an elf and raised funds.”

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