East Linton mum runs to end fuel poverty this winter

The latest research from the Scottish Government shows that 25 percent of people in Scotland are living in fuel poverty.

These findings shocked 38-year-old Tracey Moore who said: “That’s one in four of my neighbours”.

Determined to help the 38-year old human resources consultant from East Linton has taken on a sponsored run to raise cash for the People's Energy Community Interest Fund.

The challenge will see the determined office worker run 93 miles over a month-long period ending on Christmas Eve.

Ms Moore said she was compelled to take on this challenge after speaking to her friends about their struggles of fuel poverty through the pandemic.

She said: “As the temperatures outside are dropping and the nights becoming longer, a few of my friends opened up to me about their struggles with meeting the demands of their energy bills, using the local foodbank facilities to try to help them get by.

“They had become unemployed as a result of Covid-19 and, like many others, were feeling extremely anxious about how they will manage to face this winter. This is when I knew I had to do something to help.”

The caring fundraiser has asked people to donate to her challenge if possible and has reminded everyone to check in on the friends and neighbours in case someone is struggling in silence.

She said: “One thing that I have learned from this experience is you never know who is suffering financial difficulties in silence and alone, scared to open up and ask for help.

“It affects many more of us that we think and I certainly was not aware of just how many it has affected so close to home.”

Ms Moore’s two biggest supporters, Yussef, five and three-month-old Zayn have been supporting their mother every step of the way.

The mother-of-two said: “My two boys are my biggest supporters. Yussef encourages me to keep going by shouting ‘faster mummy, faster’.

“And Zayn takes away any of the aches and pains with his beaming smile every time I come back through the door.”

To donate to Tracey Moore’s fundraising page click HERE.

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