Two Church of Scotland ministers to run London Marathon for charity

Published on 11 April 2024 1 minute read

Two Church of Scotland ministers will hang up their clerical collars and don trainers to run the London Marathon on Sunday 21 April in aid of initiatives local to their areas.

Rev Barry Hughes, 59 of St Mark's in Stirling will raise money for children's and family activities in his parish, and Rev Sean Swindells, 63, of Cruden Parish Church is running for the Formartine Youth Project.

Rev Barry Hughes And Rev Sean Swindells
Rev Barry Hughes and Rev Sean Swindells on previous runs.

They have run a combined 1638km in races previously.

At the event they will be guests of the ‘Sikhs in the City' running club, as although spaces at the London Marathon are highly competitive, they had two available.

The two ministers first built ties with the group at an interfaith marathon which aimed to promote peace and understanding between faith groups called ‘Run for a United World' in Luxembourg

Explaining that whilst an experienced runner he hasn't taken part in a long-distance race for years, Mr Hughes said:

"I have run 34 marathons but none since lockdown so this is a chance to get back into the groove.

"I am running to raise money for children's and family activities in my parish in Raploch – for example the after-school club we run in collaboration with the local primary school, and of course our annual summer holiday club."

Mr Swindells, who is married to Rev Dr Alison Swindells and is also an experienced runner, said:

"For the past few years I have been a keen social runner – covering distances from 5K right up to the full marathon.

"This will be my sixth and final marathon as my body is starting to complain!

"However at nearly 64 I still intend to do a few more half marathons!"

"The Formartine Youth Project was begun in 2013 by the churches of Udny Pitmedden, Tarves, Methlick and Barthol Chapel to meet the needs of young people in a rural community by creating places and opportunities for them to meet, to be themselves, develop positive relationships, feel they belong and to believe in themselves.

"Money raised will go directly to fund Formartine Youth Project activities: supporting young people and families in our local community."

Donate to Rev Barry Hughes and Rev Sean Swindells.