Walker backs charity effort

A Burnside charity are set for a helping hand thanks to a kind-hearted walker.

The Ethiopia Medical Project is run by Maureen Burnett and her cousin, Jo Middlemiss.

Over the years the duo have raised thousands and thousands of pounds for the Buccama Clinic, which helps poverty-stricken locals with much-needed medical treatment.

The cousins fundraise all year round, and visit the African country once every year.

Earlier this year they officially opened a new wing of the clinic.

Now they have been boosted by Dave Falconer, a 70-year-old Perthshire man.

Dave’s wife Roseanne is friends with both Maureen and Jo, and Dave, a keen walker and climber who has bagged every Munro in Scotland, decided to help out the clinic.

He has travelled to Spain and is taking part in an 11day solo challenge on the GR7 trail.

Dave has mapped out a near 300km stretch of remote trail and lofty passes from Villanueva de Cauche to Tarifa, avoiding the tourist magnet of Ronda en route, with wild camping, and is being sponsored by friends to do so.

He told our sister paper the Perthshire Advertiser: “This idea has been taking shape for the past year and now I’m looking forward to it.

“I’ll be loading up as I go with food and, especially water, and making sure I have emergency rations.

“Given that it is August the heat might be an issue and fluids will be vital.

“My wife Rosanne is friendly with Jo Middlemiss and Maureen Burnett, the people behind the Ethiopian Medical Project, and I just thought it would be nice to try and raise some muchneeded funds for their work at the Buccama Clinic.”

Visit www. ethiopia medical project. com for more details on the charity, and on how to donate to their cause.