Thurso woman to run 16 marathons over 16 days to support those impacted by gender based violence

A Caithness ultra-distance runner is about to embark on her latest challenge, raising awareness on support for those subjected to gender based violence.

Lorna Stanger, from Thurso, ran 112 miles from Inverness to the Far North last year with funds raised going towards Rape and Sexual Abuse Services Highland (RASASH).

She's decided to test herself again this year by running the equivalent of 16 marathons over 16 days, a total distance of more than 416 miles.

Recovery "is not a sprint, it's a marathon."

Her challenge begins tomorrow in Inverness and on completion, she'll take part in a 'Reclaim the Night March'.

The last marathon will take place just before she attends a demo at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, which is due to take place next month.

Lorna's running efforts over 16 days coincide with the global movement, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

According to the World Health Organisation, gender based violence currently affects 1 in 3 women worldwide.

Now working as a volunteer with RASASH, Lorna's keen to raise awareness on what support is available either through her running or speaking to people face to face.

She said: "It ruins lives.

"It even causes people to take lives and it's so unnecessary, obviously because it's so wrapped up in relationships it's something people don't talk about.

"Recovery from that is not a sprint, it's a marathon and it's one step at a time.

"In running the marathons, it's putting that message out there.

"It's not going to be the same everyday, when I have to do workshops then I'll have to mix it up a bit."

Lorna is also helping promote a poem which includes 16 verses to represent the 16 days of activism.

'Imagine' has been written by Myra Ross from the Highland Violence Against Women Partnership which ties in with the global campaign looking to end violence against women and girls.

Lorna hopes all this will help more people suffering abuse to speak out and has this advice for anyone suffering.

She added: "Get help, get out.

"Try and see it for what it is.

"It's very hard, the perpetrators who do this use the shame and silence of their victims to enable themselves to get away with it.

"We've got to stop the silence, to stop the silence."

Those wanting to donate to Lorna's fundraiser this year can do so here.