Walk this way with Rutherglen priest
A Rutherglen priest put his best foot forward for charitable causes recently.
Father Frank Dougan, parish priest at St Mark’s and St Anthony’s Church, was part of a group that completed the West Highland Way, with all the money raised going towards the Kilbryde Hospice and the Celtic Foundation.
Frank was asked to take part in the 96 mile walk by Gordon McHugh, chief executive of the Kilbryde Hospice, who is from Cambuslang.
And as a keen walker Frank decided to take on the challenge.
He told the Reformer: “I go walking in the hills quite a bit, so my legs were ready for it, and we did it in over five days,
“The first couple of days we were in tents, but luckily the big storm (Storm Ali) had happened the day before we started, or else that might have been a bit unpleasant.
“I really enjoyed it. I’d never done the West Highland Way before, and it was a very enjoyable walk - I think the company really helped with that.
“There’s a thing where you just switch your brain off after a couple of hours walking around in hee haw, and the conversation just went from there, where we talked and discussed everything under the sun. “That made it very interesting.” Helping out two good causes also inspired Fr Frank to do his best on the walk, where he was joined by Gordon, Stevie Kilcoyne and Paul Wiggins.
Father Frank has already raised over £3,000 with others still to be counted.
He added: “The hospice is really getting going now, and the Celtic Foundation do a tremendous amount of good work.
“However it takes a vast amount of fundraising and being able to help out in any way can make a difference.”
Gordon McHugh, the CEO of Kilbryde Hospice and fellow walker, said: “The parishes of St Mark’s and St Anthony’s have always supported Kilbryde Hospice since its inception as an appeal some 17 years ago.
“For Father Frank to take on this challenge along with the other walkers truly shows the continued commitment of both parishes towards Kilbryde. Father’s knowledge of taking on such expeditions was a great positive for all involved as he led the group across the 96 mile trek and motivated those of us who are not so used to this type of activity”.
The Celtic Foundation aim to provide assistance to those who face daily challenges, while Kilbryde Hospice provides palliative care and support to patients and families of patients with life limiting illnesses.
More donations can be made at mydonate.bt.com/events/ westhighlandcelticway/471003
Being able to help out in any way can make a difference