Hamish Magoffin sets off on Jogle run after 'shocking' family tragedy
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Hamish Magoffin will set off from John O'Groats next Friday morning (March 18) on an epic run to Land's End in a bid to raise awareness of postpartum depression (PPD).
Hamish (38), has taken on this challenge after his wife Pranaiya took her own life and the life of their young son Arthur last September while struggling with PPD in Thailand.
The couple met during their Oxford MBA programme in 2010-2011 and Hamish proposed to Pranaiya during a visit to Scotland a few years after.
She was from Thailand and he was from Austrailia, but had been living in London for years and considers the city his home. They eventually settled in Thailand.
Pranaiya was known to her family and friends as a bright and caring soul with helpful hands and a kind heart. She devoted much time to helping others from all walks of life, a generous and thoughtful philanthropist who saw her giving as a tool to help others in need and empower disadvantaged lives.
Arthur was born in March 2021, and was a healthy, bubbly baby – very engaging for his age and brought joy to those around him.
Hamish has launched a new foundation – the Pranaiya and Arthur Magoffin Foundation (PAM) – to create awareness and education around PPD and has been busy training for his run from John O'Groats to Land's End to raise money for this UK charity.
He plans to run the equivalent of two marathons a day for two weeks straight, over a 17-day period, covering 850 miles. He hopes to complete his fundraising challenge on April 3. More than £31,000 has already been raised for the cause.
As well as asking for donations, the team are encouraging others to set up their own challenge, which could be a goal to run, walk, cycle or swim a set distance by the time Hamish finishes his Jogle.
Hamish will be heading up from Edinburgh to Caithness by campervan along with his backup team, arriving on Thursday, March 17. Six other people will be running with him as part of Ultra Running – The Jogle. On day one they plan to run from John O'Groats down to around the Helmsdale area – the cut off time for running each day is 10pm.
He explained that after the death of his wife and young son a few people stepped in to take care of him and he ended up spending some time in Vancouver Island, Canada, just getting out and about and doing some training. He was also able to do some running in the Yorkshire Dales before going back to Bangkok for a while.
Commenting on the amazing amount of money already raised, he said that was largely due to the person Pranaiya was and how much love there was for her.
Describing the deaths as a "shocking tragedy" Hamish said: "We did everything we could as a family, but we still ended up with this. In Thailand the resources are not the same as they are here.
"She was someone who had never had any mental health issues in the past. It was such a complete change."
He said that getting out in the fresh air had helped him. "Going for a walk was my way of trying to process things", said Hamish. "Walking turned to running, then trying to think of doing some awareness campaign – I decided upon this."
Hamish, has taken part in half marathons and marathons before, including London, Brighton and Mount Fuji.
He is setting off on this challenge just a week after what would have been Arthur's first birthday.
Hamish has set up a website which has more information about the PAM Foundation. Help with making donations or ideas for challenges can be found at jogle.pamfoundation.org
