In 2018 I was diagnosed with malignant hypertension (dangerously high blood pressure), I weighed 27 stone and was generally very unhealthy. I needed to do something about it. I had always enjoyed walking and back in 2007 had walked the West Highland Way to raise money so I thought I would set myself a challenge. My love of the music of The Proclaimers is well known to those who know me so i combined these things and set my target of walking 500 miles!! My chosen route will be Scotlands very own route 66, the North Coast 500.

All money raised will be split equally between four causes:

A.B.C.D Argyll Beats Cardiovascular Disease This part of the fundraising is given in memory of my brother in law Billy Hay . Billy died suddenly 2015 of an undiagnosed heart condition and is very deeply missed by the whole family, especially his three children Sean, Ryan and Iona. No money can ever bring Billy back but if i can do just a little to help prevent another family suffering the same painful loss it will be worth it.

S.C.A.A Scottish Charity Air Ambulance Living in the small community of Tyndrum we are all to aware of how important this vital service is. Our average ambulance response time can be up to an hour so in urgent situations the air ambulance really is the live saver. Anything that can be given to keep the team and of course the helicopter in the air is needed.

Cancer Research Worldwide Cancer Research Everyone is effected by this disease as some point in their lives wither it be a personal battle or that of friend, family, loved one or colleague. It is a non discriminating, devastating illness and anything that can be done to help research and fight it should be done.

500 Miles Helping people with mobility difficulties and to give them a chance to live independent lives. I didn't know about this charity prior to planning the walk. I first saw a link while looking through The Proclaimers fan page and on reading about it I felt an instant passion for it. Apart from the very apt name and the already obvious link to The Proclaimers, this was a charity that really spoke to me.

Although in a very different way from the people helped by 500 Miles, I have my own disability which makes mobility an issue for me sometimes in ways others don't realise. I have congenital cataracts in both my eyes, I was born with around 5% vision in my right eye and a small cataract with very short sight in my left eye which has and continues to degrade through the years. As well as making driving impossible it makes manoeuvring around quite tricky sometimes too. With vision in only one eye I have very little or no depth perception. Stairs, ramps and even patterned or tiled floors can be difficult to negotiate. Some very embarrassing stumbles have occurred over the years. I am in no way ashamed of my disability and will ask for help if i need it but I do try to get through as much as i can independently, as I was raised to and this is why I feel so strongly about the 500 mile charity. everyone should be given the opportunity to live independently, to live freely and live their own best life, whatever that is to them.