“You’re only given a little spark of madness, you mustn’t lose it” Robin Williams

My challenge is to complete the “West Highland Way Triple Crown”.  This award is presented to runners who complete all three races on the West Highland Way in the same year. In total I will run 190 miles.

I’m running in memory of my dad who sadly lost his life to suicide in October.  He adored the West Highland Way.  When he turned 40 he made it his goal to walk the route.  A route that takes most people a week, he opted for 3.5 days. He would say: “Not much point in sitting about doing nothing, might as well keep walking!”. He enjoyed it...so he returned to walk the route every year for the next 16 years. This spark of endurance and dedication (read: madness and obsession) was obviously passed down in the genes.

When I returned home from running and completing the West Highland Way race in 2013 I got a big smile and firm handshake.  It might not sound like much, but to me this meant the world.  You had to work hard to get his praise, so much so that his usual sarcastic quip just wouldn't cut it.  When I got my entry to the West Highland Way race for 2015, there was no doubt in my mind who I would be running in honour of.

When he died in October last year, it devastated everyone, and continues to do so now.  In many ways we will never fully recover.  However part of the healing, for me at least, is helping others.  If one more tragedy like ours is avoided, then this will have all been worthwhile.  Mental illness can often be an invisible battle, and something which many of us don’t know how to talk about.  Please donate today.  All the money I raise will help SAMH to offer support and services towards a mentally healthy Scotland.

To follow my fundraising journey and to get involved visit my blog: https://frasermccoull.wordpress.com/