Fundraiser ‘gutted’ after home is burgled

Martin Denholm completed the challenge alongside Patrick Bartholomew and Mark Munns, in memory of his father Stan Denholm who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and onset dementia at the age of 81 and died in June last year.

The trio started with the London marathon and ran one marathon a day until they reached Denholm, which is just north of the Scottish border.

Martin, 58, who owns Infusion Hair Design in Montague Street, was devastated when he returned to his home in Henty Road on Thursday evening to find that it had been broken into.

Items stolen include a red Mazda convertible car, Playstation, Iphone, keys and jewellery.

“I am absolutely gutted and every five minutes we are discovering that something else has gone missing,” he said. “We are having some work done at the moment so the contents of our old conservatory are in our lounge.

“When I got in my son was doing something with the TV. We then noticed his Playstation had gone and when I looked around I saw that some drawers were open and realised they had gone through all our bedrooms upsatirs.

“They had also taken the keys which included for the business, and rummaged through the shed in the garden where I had a lot of tools.

“I had to go to the shop straight away to get the locks changed.

“They got hold of watches that belonged to my Dad. That is what has upset me the most because those things are irreplaceable.

“The whole thing is just horrific.”

Martin estimated that the cost of the stolen goods was thousands of pounds.

“The thought that people have gone through your house is also very unsettling,” he said. “To come home to this after doing such an amazing challenge just makes you feel awful. The 13 marathons was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has been hugely emotional for me.”

The friends have to date raised around £8,000. To make a donation go to Virgin Money and search for Martin Denholm.