Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

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matchdays. Seriously though, it was an overwhelmi­ng feeling.”

Chris and Siobhan took on the challenge of visiting all 42 stadiums after one of their close friends, Linda McCulloch, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

They walked the equivalent of two marathons every day, with Chris battling on through the pain of a fractured metatarsal he suffered near Dundee.

The dad-of-two continued: “There were times during it when I thought, ‘why am I putting myself through this’?

“Siobhan had a rest on a few of the days as she was struggling with pain and blisters but the effort she put in was amazing.

“It was incredibly difficult during stretches with no civilisati­on.

“I was walking for 10 miles down straight roads with nothing but farmland on either side.

“My foot was sore but I got it strapped up at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and carried on.

“We did live videos from our Facebook page and the comments and support really inspired us.”

And when they finally got back to Coatbridge, there was one very special person among all the well-wishers.

Chris said: “It was Linda – and when we saw her all the pain just filtered away.

“When someone who is suffering and fighting as she is calls you an inspiratio­n, it really hits home.

“At times we thought our bodies couldn’t take any more but when you put it in perspectiv­e, we had it easy.

“Siobhan and I aren’t superhuman, we just went a very long walk to try and help other people.”

Chris, who owns the Yesterdays bar in Airdrie, revealed his favourite two grounds were Peterhead and Montrose, but admitted their arrived at the country’s national stadium was overshadow­ed by the presence of another celebrated duo.

He explained: “We reached Hampden on the same day that Beyonce and Jay-Z had their gig there. It would’ve been nice to be recognised for our efforts but I think the other two were given priority.

“It’s just a shame we didn’t get the chance to ask them for a donation.”

A charity night in Coatbridge’s Georgian Hotel last Saturday rounded off the pair’s fundraisin­g efforts.

Chris is now heading to Lanzarote for a well-earned rest with his family – but says he is already planning his next fundraisin­g venture.

He added: “I think next year I’m going to do the Three Peak challenge around Britain. I’d like to cycle between the peaks though rather than drive.

“I like to give myself a challenge .”

 ??  ?? Ready to go Chris and Siobhan before they began their trek Sun-kissed in Ayrshire Chris and Siobhan take a well-earned break at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park
Ready to go Chris and Siobhan before they began their trek Sun-kissed in Ayrshire Chris and Siobhan take a well-earned break at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park
 ??  ?? Triumphant Chris and Siobhan reach the promised land of Cliftonhil­l
Triumphant Chris and Siobhan reach the promised land of Cliftonhil­l

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