Tribute to Graham Arnot

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Family and friends of local sportsman Graham Arnot will gather to pay tribute after he lost his battle with a long illness.

Graham (61) died on December 6 after being diagnosed with cancer in 2011.

His family and friends will meet at Livingston Football Club on February 9 to remember him, on what would have been Graham’s 62nd birthday.

The father-of-two settled in Livingston after being forced to leave the Royal Air Force due to acute kidney problems and took up employment with the Royal Mail at their Livingston sorting office.

He soon became involved in his work’s golf and running teams and competed in more than 100 race events, from fun runs to half-marathons.

With his Postal Runners teammates Graham helped to raise almost £3000 for St John’s Hospital alone and he became well known on the running circuit around the UK.

Unfortunately Graham’s kidney problem came back to haunt him in the early 90s and he received a transplant, only for it to be rejected, but a second transplant proved successful.

The last few years saw Graham transfer to the Royal Mail at Sighthill and, determined to keep fit, he would often cycle to and from work.

He retired in 2011 to pursue his hobbies, which included the study of stamps and postal history and following Heart of Midlothian Football Club.

But tragically a few months later Graham was diagnosed with cancer.

Pal Ian Cunningham said: “Once again he met the challenge head-on, refusing to give in, but the battle against two major illnesses proved too much even for Graham.

“Selfless to the end, he left his body to medical science: his way of giving something back for the treatment and care he received.

“At the celebration of Graham’s life his wife Dot, along with son Kevin, daughter Lesley, and their families, will join friends and family in remembering Graham, a true gentleman, on what would have been his 62nd birthday.”