The story of my walk is found below. The walk is now complete with almost £10k raised. I cannot thank everyone involved enough for their efforts and encouragement. We received a marvellous reception from beginning to end.

Ahead of starting, contributions came from Crieff, Murrayshall Newtonmore, Spey Valley, Inverness, Rosemarkie and Carrbridge Golf Clubs, from Dicksons of Perth, Morris Leslie, Proctor Group,The Roost and Cafe Kisa. During the walk Blairgowrie and Pitlochry Golf Clubs raised significant sums as did a wonderful morning with 4 volunteers, including the first public appearance of Scotty, the new SCAA mascot.

Also during the walk, I had company every day. The longest stint was 25 miles and the shortest 16. Conversations ranged from Ford Capris from the 1960s through the worst PMs of all time, the education system that a Martian might invent, cricketers I have known, red kites and lichen on fence posts to politicians that we trust, Brexit, religion through the centuries and masses of others.

No mad cap scheme as this can thrive without volunteers. Joyce Leslie gave up 3 days to ferry tired bodies back to their cars at the end of long days and then shook a can all Saturday morning at House of Bruar. The glue that held us all together was Angela who drove the man cave and stopped every 6 miles for coffee and cake. Lay by 81 was a firm favourite! She was helped by those 7 walkers, especially Nicky and Simon. They did 4 days in total, having flown up from Oxford and Windsor. I'll not publish videos of a couple of pals as they tried to enter and exit their cars at the end of their days! 

Our camper van was home for 9 days and was very generously donated in its entirety by Nikki and Christopher Dickson. With the weather being wet with a capital W for 6 days out of 8, the man cave was a very welcome sight every 2 hours or so. Also very welcome were a couple of angels of mercy! Annie Bryden appeared out of very wet mist in Aviemore and whisked away all the wet clothes to return them dry and fresh the next day. Angie Yellowlees appeared at the off at Murrayshall, en route and when the distance was beyond cycling distance, chocolate splodge appeared by post! 

SCAA was a figment of imagination back in 2008/9. It is now a key part of air ambulance operations in Scotland. Every little helps, no matter how big or small, so thank you to all of you who have donated and to all those who made the hair brain idea work, not least the great staff that are at the heart of SCAA.

Mike September 2017

Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Many of you will know how important SCAA is to me. If we have met, it's likely that you know what a fantastic organisation SCAA is and the impact that they have on communities and individuals across Scotland.  

I have been planning this hair-brained walk as a present to myself for my 70th birthday for some time.  With a
significant amount of thought, training and support, I am now ready to ask for your help.

My walk will take me 20 miles a day for 8 consecutive days, taking in 10 golf clubs in the local communities on my way. I have chosen golf clubs because, as a keen golfer and trustee, I am only too aware of the number of times SCAA have been called to treat patients on a golf course. Those calls have involved heart attacks, strokes and falls – medical emergencies that account for 39% of the
time-critical call outs responded to by SCAA.

As I travel north, I will be sharing the story of how SCAA are 'Saving Time, Saving Lives' across Scotland. 

Did you know an average day will cost SCAA approximately £7,000?  My aim is to raise funds to contribute towards this.  

I warmly invite you to help me get as close to my target as I can.  Any amount, large or small is greatly appreciated.  Every single pound counts and will make a difference.

Donating via Just Giving is simple, fast and secure. Your donation will be sent directlyto SCAA and your details will not be used for  unwanted contact from others.

THANK YOU for your interest and for any help that you can give to me.

Mike