A community champion is taking a well-earned break after successfully completing his biggest challenge yet.
Anwar Rafiq from Neilston has conquered all four of Scotland’s Kiltwalks this year to help local good causes.
The dad-of-two kicked off his challenge by taking on Glasgow’s Mighty Stride and coining in more than £1,000 for Barrhead charity Include me 2 Club (IM2C).
He then completed Aberdeen, the tough Dundee Kiltwalk and the Edinburgh Kiltwalk, raising hundreds of pounds for Neilston Players’ Santa sleigh refurbishment project in the process.
Following the event in Edinburgh this month, he told the Barrhead news: “I completed Edinburgh in four hours and 57 minutes.
“I was aiming for under six hours and for 15-minute miles, but I ended up doing 14- minute miles and doing it a lot faster than I thought I would, so I can’t complain."
He previously completed Glasgow in five hours and 44 minutes, Aberdeen in four hours and 14 minutes and Dundee in five hours and six minutes.
After being blighted by listers, this time Anwar, who has completed a host of Kiltwalks over the last few years, switched things up which worked wonders and helped his time in the capital.
"Edinburgh was 21 miles which was more than Dundee but for Dundee I had blisters," he added.
“For the last walk I changed my shoes so I’ve got an approved model now.
“I was feeling fine after. I was wee bit tired, but no blisters so it’s all good.”
While waiting at the start line in Edinburgh, Anwar spotted the Kiltwalk’s philanphropist backer Sir Tom Hunter and managed to speak to him briefly and grab a quick picture with the businessman and entrepreneur.
Following the walk, he also received a phone call from organisers asking him to go to STV’s studios.
This led to him taking part last Friday in filming for the channel's charity appeal, rubbing shoulders with TV presenter Lorraine Kelly and weather presenter Sean Batty.
The appeal will be screened on Friday, November 3.
Anwar is also one of four in the running to pick up IM2C’s fundraising champions award at their gala ball, which takes place this Friday, September 29.
“It’s been a good year with lots of money raised,” added Anwar. “I’m very pleased.”
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