Housing officer Euan to run Paisley 10K in memory of twin boys.

A Wheatley Homes Glasgow housing officer, Euan MacLean, is embarking on a poignant journey by running the Paisley 10K in honour of his beloved twin boys. Euan aims to raise £1000 for SANDS, a charity supporting families affected by stillbirth and neonatal death, in remembrance of what would have been the first birthday of his sons, Sorley and Ruadh.

Tragically, the twins were born at just 21 weeks in Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital’s maternity unit last July and did not survive. As Euan and his wife, Stefi, navigate through the sorrow of their loss, SANDS has been a pillar of strength, providing invaluable support during their darkest days.

Looking to pay a heartfelt tribute to his sons, Euan plans to run the race with a weighted vest equivalent to the combined weight of two one-year-old children. This act symbolises his commitment to running alongside his boys as they should have celebrated their first birthday this year.

Reflecting on the challenging times, Euan shared, “It was a really hard time for both me and my wife, Stefi. SANDS supported us through it all and they also gave us a box of items we didn’t know we needed, such as kits to take moulds of our sons’ hands and feet. They were really there for us at one of the most difficult times in our lives.”

With a two-and-a-half-year-old son, Broden, to care for, Euan is dedicated to staying fit and healthy. Regular Boxercise, Spin, and Metafit classes keep him in prime condition as he trains for the Paisley 10K race in August.

Expressing his aspirations, Euan said, “Sorley and Ruadh would have celebrated their birthdays on July 16 and 17 this year. A one-year-old child typically weighs around 9.6kg. By carrying a vest weighing 20kg, it will be like I’m running with them. There are around 10 of us who have signed up to do it, but I wanted to do something more. I wanted to run for charity and SANDS was the obvious choice.”

Euan has launched a JustGiving page to gather donations for his cause, with £855 already raised towards his £1000 goal. Grateful for the overwhelming support received from friends and family, Euan expressed his gratitude, “I’ve been overwhelmed by the support of all my friends and family, and I’d like to thank each and every one of them for their donations and support.”

If you wish to contribute to Euan’s fundraising efforts, you can visit his JustGiving page here. For information and support related to stillbirth and neonatal death, please reach out to SANDS.

The Scottish Housing News Charity Spotlight feature showcases the invaluable work of charities throughout Scotland every Friday. To have your local charity featured, whether housing-related or not, submit your story and images to newsdesk@scottishnews.com.