BY anyone's standards, running 1000km in one year is an impressive achievement for an amateur athlete.

Richard Cooper pledged to run one mile for each day of 2016 to raise cash for The Moira Fund, in honour of murdered Moira Jones.

But even though he smashed his target - and is set to raise £15,000 - Richard claims the only hero is Moira's mum Bea.

He said: "I have had so many messages of support from everybody but the people who are the real inspiration are Bea and Moira's brother Grant.

"I'm just running, which is something I love to do anyway, while Bea has had to cope with a terrible situation."

The Evening Times first told in January how Richard planned to run Challenge 366 but hit this target at the Paisley 10k on August 21.

He then upped his goal to just over 600 miles, or 1000km.

Richard hit his target during the Great Run Local Glasgow Quays (GRLGQ) on December 14 but still has a couple of races left before the end of the year.

He and son Keiran ran a Parkrun in Leeds at the end of December, where the Cooper men go each year to see Leeds United play, and they ran Pollok Parkrun on Christmas Day, which was Richard's 100th Parkrun.

They also planned a New Year's Eve Parkrun.

Richard has been running throughout the year with 16-year-old Keiran who he says has become a real competitor.

In fact, Keiran won the Santa Dash in Glasgow city centre earlier this month, achieving a time of 17mins 54 secs.

Richard, who had won the year before, came in second.

He said: "Keiran is very pleased to be the fastest Santa in Glasgow and I am so proud of him."

"The running community has also been amazing and Bea has noticed and commented on that as well. I have made so many friends."

Richard went to school in Staffordshire with Moira's brother, Grant, but moved to Glasgow's South Side as an adult.

Moira, then 40, was abducted from outside her home and taken to Queen's Park where she was raped and murdered.

The money raised by Richard will go towards The Moira Fund's aim of supporting families who have lost a loved one to murder or manslaughter.

The Fund was founded by Bea and Moira's dad, Hu, who were left devastated by the death of their only daughter.

Richard said: "It's the Christmas season and Bea was talking about the number of requests they have had pertaining to Christmas, a time when people just need some help.

"In one family, it was the father of two children who was murdered and the family needed help to get some presents for the children.

"Small amounts make a big difference for the charity."

Richard added: "My wife says she's looking forward to getting me back but I'm really going to miss running for The Moira Fund."

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