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HE’S the kind-hearted Rangers fan who nearly lost his life to a stroke but today netted his 22nd marathon in just three weeks.
Now, David Smith has set his sights on his next charity challenge… a run from Glasgow to Barcelona to mark 50 years since the Light Blues won the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
The father-of-one arrived at the finish line outside Ibrox Stadium this afternoon at the end of his marathon trek from the Govan arena to Liverpool’s Anfield and back.
READ MORE: Rangers-daft David Smith takes on 550 mile marathon challenge six months after stroke
Coming just six months after he spent time in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary due to a stroke, the challenge saw David raise more than £4000 for the Rangers Charity Foundation and Stroke Association.
“Now that I am finished I am absolutely exhausted,” David, 55, said. “It was an adventure. My brain is working a bit better now.
“I’m tired and need some sleep but feel like I have rebooted it. I ended up with a blister for the first time in seven years!
“I’m sitting here outside Ibrox looking at the stadium. It’s great.
“If I was doing one tomorrow, I’d be on it. But now that I am not doing one, I am absolutely exhausted.”
As well as raising cash for the two good causes, David’s trek – called the 550 Challenge – honoured Rangers boss Steven Gerrard, who this season delivered the Light Blues’ 55th major league title.
That’s why the Kirkintilloch man headed for Anfield and he was in for a shock when he arrived at the stadium.
“When I got to Anfield, Derek Parlane [who was part of the Cup Winners’ Cup squad] was waiting for me,” David, who has had to learn to read and write again, said. “I couldn’t believe it.
David, wife Jennifer, and Rangers legend Derek Parlane
“We had a tour of Anfield and we were singing Derek Parlane’s song. It was great.”
David added: “I met lots of nice people. Some not so nice. Every one of them, who were nasty because they thought I was drunk, I used them in different ways. I used them to inspire myself the next day.
“On the way back from Cheshire, I was thinking about what I was gonna do next year. I promised Derek Parlane I would run to Barcelona.
“We’ll leave Ibrox and run to Barcelona next year in May. I am gonna give it a go. I must be the only person in the whole world with a ‘Barcelona Run’ in my bank account.
“I wanted to do this to see if I could do it again. Now I have, Barcelona is on.
“I have learned a lot on this trip and it’s been great to raise money for the charities.”
David Henson, Rangers Charity Foundation fundraising executive, said: “We have been cheering David on every step of the way and are extremely grateful for the support which will allow us to continue our community and charity work.
“His positivity and resilience truly is inspirational.”
For his next challenge, David is hoping to run to Barcelona to mark Rangers’ 1972 European Cup Winners’ Cup win in the city
Angela MacLeod, communications manager at Stroke Association Scotland, said: “To think David only had his stroke in December is incredible. I’m sure his grit and determination, demonstrated through his taking part in this event, is leading to his amazing success.”
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