A FATHER-OF-TWO has completed a unique fundraising mission by running up a local landmark throughout the year.

Andy Fraser’s family were given the devastating news in 2022 that two of his aunts had been diagnosed with cancer.

He decided to do what he could to help and set out to raise funds for Worldwide Cancer Research, a charity which funds research into all types of cancer throughout the world.

By dedicating a day of each month to repeatedly running up and down North Berwick Law, Andy quickly began racking up the metres.

In January last year he started with one ascent, before making it two in a row in February.

The challenge got tougher throughout the year, before Andy reached the finish line with 12 ascents of the hill in one day in December.

In total, he scaled the volcanic plug 78 times to a combined height of 36,000 feet – higher than Mount Everest.

The 39-year-old, who lives on St Margarets Road in the town, said: “My aunts both being diagnosed with cancer was definitely the motivation for the challenge. I wanted to do something for them at a difficult time.

“They both thought it was a bit of a mad challenge to be honest and that I was daft for doing it, but I think they appreciated what I was doing.

“As a father of two young children, I was limited in where I could realistically do my challenge.

“I wanted to be close by but to do something that was a real effort.”

East Lothian Courier: Andy Fraser was regularly joined by Coco when taking on the challenge

While one of his aunts is doing well following treatment for throat cancer, the other sadly passed away earlier this year following a breast cancer diagnosis.

Andy added: “Each time you got to the top you got a bit of a break but coming down was a challenge in itself, and there was a lot of impact on different parts of my body, especially when I was doing a number of climbs each day on the steep hill.”

Two friends, Craig Lawson and Jeremy Milne, joined Andy for some of his runs but Coco, the family’s cocker spaniel, was his most regular running companion.

Andy, who works as an investment manager, said: “Each month had its own challenges.

“The day in December was probably the toughest, with the weather and high number of climbs, but the summer was tough in heat.

“September and October were probably the toughest mentally as they were very tough but there was still a lot of ascents ahead.

“I’m really pleased I was able to complete the challenge for such a good and important cause like Worldwide Cancer Research.

“I’d like to thank everyone who supported me and donated, and my work, Abrdn, who donated and matched the first £200.

“My wife, Steph, has been amazing too; we have two young children, Arabella and Torrin, with Torrin arriving during the challenge, so I can’t thank Steph enough for her support.”

Worldwide Cancer Research currently funds more than 80 research projects, worth a collective £17 million, with the potential to change the course of cancer research.

The charity focuses on research ideas for new cancer cures, to find new ways to prevent cancer and explore more effective and kinder treatments for patients.

Laura McLachlan, Worldwide Cancer Research’s director of marketing and fundraising, congratulated Andy.

She said: “Worldwide Cancer Research prides itself on funding the most innovative, bold and world-leading discovery research that will help us better understand cancer and find new treatments and cures.

“Our dedicated and generous supporters are the reason we are able to fund potential breakthroughs which help to save lives.”