Ayr duo take on the New York marathon

Nov 28 2008 by Cheryl McEvoy, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

BIG hearted businessmen Stephen Wilkie and Andrew Sinclair raised a fantastic £7250 for charity after running the New York marathon.

The superfit pair crossed the Atlantic to cross the finish line in an impressive 3hours and 57 minutes, under their four hour goal.

Stephen and Andrew are partners in Ayr-based Sinclair Scott Chartered Accountants and were thrilled to have raised the huge sum for the Ayrshire and Arran and Wigtonshire branches of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Andrew explained: “It has been eye opening during the fundraising to hear how many people suffer from Multiple Sclerosis.

“Most of those donating have a relative or friend suffering from the disease and are acutely aware of the need to provide support to the other people who often suffer from this disease for a long number of years.

“We would like to thank all our friends, the staff and clients at Sinclair Scott Chartered Accountants and other businesses who donated or assisted us in raising the funds.”

And society chairman Donald McNeill is delighted at the donation.

He said: “Our society warmly welcomes the support it receives from both the business community and private individuals throughout south-west Scotland, and I would like to emphasise that all money raised in this area stays in this area to help local people suffering from MS.

“We have no paid staff, and rely entirely on the efforts and work of volunteers.”

The MS Society is the UK's largest charity for people affected by MS, around 85,000 people in the UK.

The society funds MS research, runs respite care centres, provides grants, education and training on MS. It produces numerous publications on MS and runs a freephone specialist Helpline 0808 800 8000.

Anybody still wishing to donate can do so at www.sinclairscott.com