Drivers warned to watch out for cone
Charity walk stunt
A Strath teenager is hoping drivers will give him some encouragement if they see him on the A85 next week.
On Tuesday Mikey Coull from Comrie will be walking from the village’s St Kessog’s Square to the Tesco car park on Perth Crieff’s Road in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.
The 18-year-old feels the trust is not as well known as some major cancer charities.
He told the Herald: “I lost a friend last year. She was only 17 and had cancer.
“I’ve had it in my head for quite a while now that I wanted to do something to help others so I got in touch with the Teenage Cancer Trust to tell them what I was proposing and filled the forms in.
“I was sitting, nervously waiting for an email back from them, but I didn’t hear anything right away and thought it wasn’t going to be possible.
“Then I got an email saying they would be sending me a pack and sponsor forms so then I had to start thinking about what costume I was going to wear.”
Mikey will be easily identifiable to motorists as he will be dressed as a bright orange traffic cone.
The former Crieff High pupil will be walking around 20 miles and has not long recovered from a football injury to his ankle but he is keen to get going with the challenge and has been buoyed by the support already shown to him locally.
He said: “People have already been sending me messages of support.
“I will be delighted if anyone would like to sponsor me or just to peep the horn to keep me going if they see me on the day.”
Mikey will be setting off from St Kessog’s Square at 9.15am on Tuesday, with mum Maggie providing back- up in the car to make sure he is safe and to supply him with water along the way.
Maggie understands why her son wants to help. She said: “I lost my cousin a few years ago. He’d had cancer three times and the third time it got him.
“My auntie’s been lucky. She had breast cancer 27 years ago and –touch wood - she’s till here so there are good stories.
“Mikey’s sister went through it with one of her friends at school as well and Mikey saw the impact.”
Maggie has also been involved with raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust in the past and said it was amazing how people got behind the charity.
A sponsor form is available to sign at Comrie Golf Club and Mikey is also planning to be in St Kessog’s Square this Saturday at 2pm.