AN inspirational teacher from Peebles is set to tackle Scotland's toughest marathon - a decade after surviving an almost fatal brain haemorrhage.

Richard Edge, who teaches PE at Priorsford Primary, was in a coma for almost a fortnight after collapsing in the playground at Caddonfoot Primary School on October 31, 2007.

Only emergency surgery at Edinburgh's Western General Hospital saved the former footballer's life.

And through specialist rehab help and encouragement at the Astley Ainslie Hospital Richard was gradually able to regain the use of his legs and his speech.

As a thank you to the staff, the 36-year-old now hopes to complete an epic 26-mile mountain marathon through Glencoe.

Richard told us: "I had been out after playing in the Scottish Cup with Vale of Leithen on the Saturday and couldn't understand why the hangover wasn't going away.

"I had a terrible headache on the Tuesday when I was teaching at Caddonfoot. I knew something was wrong and just managed to get all the children back into the class before I collapsed in the playground.

"I had suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage and nobody was sure if I'd ever be able to get the use of my legs back again.

"I was in a drug-induced coma for 12 days and stayed in hospital for three months.

"When I first arrived at Astley Ainslie I couldn't walk and had real difficulty with my speech. It was the amazing people at Astley Ainslie that drove me forward and gave me the belief that I could return to a normal life."

It would a further seven months after his release from hospital before Richard was able to return to work.

And his bosses at Scottish Borders Council helped with a transfer from the four Galashiels primaries where he'd initially taught to Priorsford in his hometown on Peebles.

In the nine years since arriving at Priorsford, Richard has married his sweeetheart, Lisa, and they now have two daughters.

Mr Edge has also inspired a new generation of young athletes who regularly win titles across Scotland.

Richard added: "It is the children at school who inspire me rather than the other way around - we have such talented runners at the school.

"I used to hate running when I was a footballer but I began to really enjoy getting out when I was fit enough again.

"The Glencoe Marathon is going to be tough but I'm determined to raise as much as I can to thank everyone at the Astley Ainslie for all they did for me."

The Glencoe Marathon course, which includes more than 1,600 metres of climbing, takes in the fearsome Devil’s Staircase as well as the Aonach Eagach Ridge and Glen Nevis.

The race takes place on Sunday, October 1.

To support Richard's fundraising effort go to mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/richardedge1