Robert's on run to get drink-drive message across

Published on Friday 11 January 2008 09:15

IT will be the hardest run Robert Henderson has ever attempted. The 400-mile journey from Edinburgh to Stevenage will take three weeks, with the 46-year-old covering 20 miles a day.

But it is not the physical exertion that will take the greatest toll on Robert as he pounds the streets. It is the time he spends thinking about his brother Shaun and how he was killed by a drink-driver that will make the challenge so hard.

Social worker Robert decided to undertake the run to raise awareness of the damage caused by drink-driving.

Shaun was killed a year ago in Stevenage when a van driver, who had been drinking ran into him, knocking him off his scooter. The father-of-four died from his injuries on January 3 last year.

Shaun, 43, was born and raised in Edinburgh before moving to England 12 years ago. A devoted father and lifelong Hibs fan, he was working as a chef at the time of his death.

His partner Angie Archer has been left to bring up their two children, aged one and two, on her own. The couple hoped to marry last year, and were discussing moving back to Edinburgh. Shaun also had two children from previous relationships.

The driver of the van, Daniel Ellis, 28, was found to have a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. He was sentenced to two years in prison last September and banned from driving for four years.

Robert, who works at Castlebrae Community High School, said it would be a very emotional journey. He said: "I wanted to do something positive to remember Shaun. It's desperately hard for all the family at the moment.

"It's especially difficult for Angie. She's trying to cope but it's been a horrible year. She's really struggling emotionally and physically. It's all so tragic.

"The grief has been tinged with anger. Every time I see his children I think they've been robbed of their dad. We were shocked when we were told the driver could be out of prison in a year. Nothing can bring my brother back, but something doesn't seem right."

Robert will wear T-shirts publicising his message. The family have written to MSPs calling for the drink-drive limit to be lowered, and say there should be "zero tolerance" of drink-drivers.

Robert, from Piershill, has already run 13 marathons and takes part in the Seven Hills of Edinburgh Race most years. He's looking for sponsorship to cover accommodation and other costs, and will raise money for charity.

He is currently planning his route, which he hopes to complete in the school summer holidays.

He said: "I'm confident I'll be able to cover 20 miles a day, running five or six hours daily.

"If you've got a mission, you gain what you need to finish it. It'll be the most difficult thing I've ever done, but I'm determined to do it. It'll get quite emotional when I get to the place where he died."

Robert hopes friends, family and other campaigners will join him on parts of his journey. He said: "There are thousands of families who have been affected by drink-related road accidents, and it would be great if some of them wanted to take part.

"I think Shaun would be saying: 'You're mental Robert – but I love you for it.'"