A FORMER schoolfriend of murdered Moira Jones has pledged to run 366 miles this year in her honour.

Like Moira, who was killed in Queen's Park in 2008, Richard Cooper went to school in Staffordshire but moved to Glasgow's south side as an adult.

Now he has committed to run one mile for each day of the year in order to raise money for the Moira Fund.

Richard said: "I just still can't quite imagine what that family has been through and the fact they can help others in similar circumstances is remarkable.

Glasgow Times: Richard Cooper pictured next to the river Clyde. Richard is running 366 miles for the Moira Fund this year. Photo: Colin Mearns

"The simple story is that I was at school with Grant and my brother Paul was in the same class as Moira - so we were all at school together.

"Having grown up in Staffordshire I was good friends with Grant but I really don't remember Moira personally.

"I happened to have married a south side lass and moved to Glasgow, where I love living, and back in 2008 I saw the reports of what had happened and realised that was Grant's sister who had been murdered close to both of our homes."

In May 2008 Moira, 40, was abducted, raped, robbed and murdered and her body dumped yards from home in Queen's Park.

Her death devastated her parents, Bea and Hu, who later went on to set up the Moira Fund, which helps other families who have been bereaved by manslaughter or murder.

Richard, 45, decided to run the first Moira's Run, a 5K in Queen's Park - and went on to win it.

Glasgow Times: Richard Cooper pictured next to the river Clyde. Richard is running 366 miles for the Moira Fund this year. Photo: Colin Mearns

He added: "Grant and I hadn't kept in touch but when the first Moira's Run was done in Queen's Park I got in touch to say I would see him at the run.

"It was 25 years since I had last seen him but it's been wonderful to be back in touch.

"I ran the race and actually won it, though this year when I ran it I dropped to third place.

"It made me start thinking about what I could to help.

"With Moira having been down in Staffordshire and then both of us up here in the south side of Glasgow, it becomes very personal so I thought it would be good to try and help the family in some way.

Glasgow Times: Moira Jones, who was murdered in Queen's Park

"I did my first ultramarathon last year among other races and I wondered how many miles I had run altogether.

"I like a challenge and I thought if I could get to 366 miles, one for each day of the year, that would be a challenge."

To make sure he hits his target, Richard is taking on three ultramarathons: the Kintyre Way, the Clyde Stride and the River Ayr Way as well as the Glen Coe Mountain Marathon.

He'll take part in as many 10Ks as needed and has huge support from his wife, Catriona, and three children.

Moira Jones with her mum Bea (right) taken at a wedding in 2006.

Glasgow Times: New collect picture of Moira Jones with her mum Bea (right) taken at a wedding in 2006. (42791199)

Richard added: "My oldest boy is 15 now and he's at the stage where we run and he beats me. All three of my children are runners and we love doing Park Runs - we're Park Run tourists and do them wherever we go.

"We've run and I've been first with him second and then he's been first with me second - we push each other.

"And on the longer runs my family are there at each of the rest stops with food, water and anything I need. They're a great support."

Bea Jones, Moira's mum, said: "This is a tremendous undertaking by Richard and all of us at The Moira Fund will be cheering him on from near and far in his great efforts to raise funds for our charity, to help those struggling to cope with the loss of a loved one through murder or manslaughter.

"We certainly hope he gets lots of support and sponsorship."

To donate to Richard's challenge, see www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/richardacooper

And for more information about the pledge see www.facebook.com/2016challenge366 

Pictures and video of Richard Cooper by Colin Mearns