Local Paramedic running Edinburgh Marathon in full suit of armour

Edinburgh City Paramedic, Jay Watt, is running in this weekend’s Edinburgh Marathon to raise money for SAMH, clad in a full suit of metal armour.

Jay has been running the Edinburgh Marathon every year since 2011 in a new costume to raise money for local and children’s charities. Previous years’ costumes have included Buzz Lightyear, aliens, and a bunny suit, raising money for The Yard and The Teenage Cancer Trust, amongst others.

Speaking about his latest challenge, Jay said: “In my job, I have encountered patients struggling with their mental health, so this year I wanted to raise awareness of the support SAMH give and raise money to help them continue their important work.

“This is my 20^th marathon, and I’ve run in big mascot costumes before, but this year I wanted to break through the stigma of mental health and let people know it’s okay to have a chink in your armour.”

In addition to running the marathon, Jay has been putting the suit through its paces by skiing, boxing, kayaking, and more. He has had some help from a Scottish blacksmith, Kev Paxton, to ensure his suit can withstand each challenge.

Jay said: “Kev has helped me adjust the suit so I can do these activities in it and raise as much awareness as I can. By taking part in these sports and fitness activities, I am looking to encourage a positive vibe about mental health and encouraging people to reach out.”

Follow Jay’s journey and donate to his fundraiser here.