A FORMER Barrhead solicitor aims to prove that age is just a number as he takes on a lung-bursting 10-mile charity run.

Adrian Ward, who is 76 and only retired four years ago, is helping a number of good causes after he suffered two major health scares recently.

For half a century, the respected local lawyer ran Turnbull & Ward, in Barrhead’s Main Street, which he formed in 1968.

Adrian, who is a former international rower, is planning to tackle the 10-mile run on Saturday, October 17, and hopes to raise around £3,000.

He has been taking part in charity runs, including several marathons, since the early 1970s but admits this will be his biggest challenge yet.

In 2018, Adrian needed treatment for prostate cancer and, last year, he suffered a heart attack, which also led to major surgery.

A third of the money raised from his latest run will go towards Prostate Scotland, which supports the early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

Another third will benefit the Levern Valley Defibrillator Community Partnership, which provides defibrillators in the Barrhead, Neilston and Uplawmoor areas.

The remaining money will go to a fund administered by the Rotary Club of Barrhead to benefit local groups and organisations.

Adrian, who hails from Uplawmoor and has three daughters and four grandchildren, said: “These organisations are never more in need of our support than at this time.

“I didn’t need a defibrillator for my heart attack and operation in 2019 but they are there 24 hours a day to save lives.

“I’d be delighted and grateful to anyone who might want to donate and help me celebrate my good fortune in being still fit and well.”

Adrian’s 10-mile run will take him from Uplawmoor to Lugton, into Dunlop and then back to Uplawmoor.

In 1992, he was awarded a MBE for services to people with learning disabilities.

Adrian is also Scotland’s leading expert in the field of mental health law and has written a number of major legal works on the subject.

He is currently president of the organising committee for the World Congress on Adult Guardianship, which will be held in Edinburgh in June 2022.

Before retiring in 2016, Adrian merged Turnbull & Ward with a Glasgow law firm, TC Young.

The building where he had his offices in Barrhead is now used by Women Aid’s and has also been converted into flats.

Close friend and fellow Barrhead Rotarian Douglas Yates said: “This run speaks of Adrian’s determination to fight back to fitness following a number of major health scares, while helping local charities at the same time.”

Anyone who would like to support Adrian’s fundraising efforts can make a donation online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/adrian76.