We sadly lost our friend Evan to suicide last year.

Evan was a startlingly beautiful man. A friend to everyone, a bright spark with strong convictions about what we're here to do. His death was one of the most destabilising shocks we've ever endured.

Four of us (Clem, Francis, Jonny & Pete) have decided to hike the West Highland Way in April this year (a notoriously wet patch in the Highland calendar) in his memory. We will be partially wild camping: this was Evan's style.

Evan was committed to social justice, and through his PhD demonstrated how benefit sanctions are harmful for the mental health of claimants. In line with his principles and work we've decided to raise money for a food bank nearby where Evan lived.

Thank you all for your support. See you on the West Highland Way!

We smashed our first four targets, so we've upped it again to 2000!

If you crave detail, read on! The following sections reflect Clem's opinions and should not suggest big headedness on the part of anyone else.

The Task

This is a near impossible task.

We are covering 154km through rain, sleet and possibly snow; ice cold temperatures and intemperate natives. 

We will need to climb a staggering 10,351ft of ascent and descent.

The highest point is called Aonach Eagach ('Devil's Staircase') and if that doesn't chill you to the bone, you haven't googled it yet.

But the TEAM are up to the task!

The Team

• Pete - The great caregiver of Partick - this man can walk. He can regularly be found putting in 14hr shifts hiking around West Glasgow, brightening the days of the old and the sick. (Yes, fourteen hour shifts)

• Francis - The pathfinder, the handsome one; and the honeyed tones of his Scottish accent give the group some much needed authenticity.

• Jonny - Last year this man walked so hard that his feet began to bleed. In the E17 postcode, he's known as 'The Walthamstow Wolf'. He and I will be roughing it on a couple of nights.

• Clem - Yours truly. My only ticket into the group is that I knew Evan so well (plus I bought some new boots).

• (In Spirit Form) Evan - I will hear his weird laugh frequently, and I know he'll be with us.

It's hard to say what I miss about him most. If you'd like to experience his unique flavour, please watch this video, and take a look at some of the photos.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CAfVFezKyD7Cy4i47dNc85cPzTli1MUD/view?usp=sharing