A 65 year old grandmother, living in a Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association development in Livingston, has raised £430 for Cancer Research by taking part in this year’s ‘Race for Life Pretty Muddy’.

Margaret Hamilton, who has lived at Hanover Court in Livingston Village for eight years, completed the five kilometre obstacle course in Edinburgh with her daughter, daughter in law, and two thirteen year old granddaughters in memory of her late husband who passed away at the beginning of the year.

“At one point during the course we had to climb up a big rope. I struggled a little and everyone started cheering me on and with a small push I managed it,” said Margaret.

The pensioner only began exercising regularly as a way of keeping herself busy after the loss of her husband. Margaret now goes to the gym at least three times a week, followed by a swim and on top of that attends an aqua fit class twice a week as well as regularly taking long walks.

Margaret is determined to be fully fit and active after watching her husband’s health deteriorate over the past few years.

She said: “I meet so many interesting people at the gym and it is a brilliant way to keep busy. It all started with a legs, bums and tums class that my daughter persuaded me to go to, since then I’ve never looked back.

“I am delighted at how much money we’ve been able to raise, everyone has been so generous, especially my neighbours here at Hanover Court. It was a very amusing day and I’m sure I provided my fair share of laughs attempting to get over the obstacles covered from head to foot in mud.”

Margaret already has plans to take part in a number of other challenges to raise even more money for Cancer Research.

Janet Meier, development manager at Hanover Court, said: “We couldn’t be prouder of what Margaret has achieved. She is quite the athlete now and is an inspiration to all of us at Hanover Court; we can’t wait to see what she tackles next.”