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Dingwall native prepares to tackle London Marathon for Leukaemia UK after ‘inspirational’ Dad’s battle with blood cancer





Lewis Smith previously raised funds for Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow by running the Loch Ness Marathon in 2021.
Lewis Smith previously raised funds for Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow by running the Loch Ness Marathon in 2021.

A football player from Inverness will be swapping his studs for running shoes this April as he prepares to run the London Marathon for Leukaemia UK.

The challenge will be the second marathon in last four years for Lewis Smith, who is raising money for the cancer research charity after his Dad battled blood cancer for over a year.

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The 27-year-old, who plays football for St Duthus FC, in Tain, took on the Loch Ness Marathon back in 2021, after his Dad, Billy Patience, was diagnosed with AML acute leukaemia.

Billy, a native of Avoch in the Black Isle, was able to make a full recovery, returning from Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow in time for Christmas after a successful blood transplant.

Now 48, he is “doing fine”.

Gearing up for a return to the marathon circuit, Lewis has now made it his mission to support Leukaemia UK, in a bid to help fund research that matters most to people living with blood cancer.

Lewis said: “Having seen what my Dad had to go through while he was getting his treatment, for me to take on a marathon and help this charity should be no bother in comparison.

“When he was going through treatment, he never complained and just got on with it. He is such an inspiration to me.

Lewis Smith (left), alongside Dad, Billy Patience and his late grandfather, Hugh Patience, who passed away in 2023.
Lewis Smith (left), alongside Dad, Billy Patience and his late grandfather, Hugh Patience, who passed away in 2023.

“He’s doing fine now. He gets regular blood checks at Raigmore and reports back from the doctors in Glasgow, who treated him.”

“I chose to support Leukaemia UK because they do a lot of work with people going through a similar experience to my Dad, but also because even after the treatment is over there’s still a lot of side effects. I just want to raise money to help people going through it in any way I can.”

Originally from Dingwall, telecommunications engineer Lewis has already had his fair share of hurdles as he prepares for London.

Struggling with knee injuries, and having to spend more time on the side lines than he’d prefer when it comes to the football pitch, it has been a frustrating start to the season.

“Preparation hasn’t been great,” he admits. “I’ve been struggling since the end of October with my knee, so I’ve been limited in what I can do with training, and football too.

“I seem to be over the worst of that after getting back to training, both football and running wise, this past two weeks.

“I did the Loch Ness Marathon three years ago with my auntie and uncle. My preparation for that was for a 10k, and I had a game against Invergordon the day before it. It was far from ideal.

“London should be good though, because it’s so big and you are supported the whole way round.

“It’s just myself this time and I now have a 15-week plan in place, so I’m currently chipping away at that and feeling positive.”

Last time around, Lewis was able to raise over £4000 for Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, who cared for Dad Billy after carrying out his blood transplant, and who still monitor his progress today.

This year, he has set himself a modest goal of raising £2500 for Leukaemia UK. London Marathon runners must raise at least £2100 for their causes, but Lewis hopes to more than exceed that target, having already started his appeal using social media.

“Most of my fundraising has just been through sharing the link with friends and family, and via the football club, which I’m very appreciative of.

“I am hoping to hold a race night or something like that in February too, which my auntie, will be taking the lead on.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to anyone who has donated so far, and also to St Duthus FC and Fortrose Union FC for sharing my JustGiving page.

“We have already raised about £670, so it’s off to a good start.”

Updates on his progress can be found, and donations can be made to Lewis’ fund at justgiving.com/fundraising/lewissmith2024.


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