Angus stop-off for fundraiser on round Britain charity trek

Support: Walkers in bid to open transport hubs for cancer patients

A “Daft as a Brush” millionaire who gave all his money away to help charity has stopped off in Angus on an epic charity quest.

Intrepid pensioner Brian Burnie, 73, created the Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care charity which provides free transport to and from hospitals in the north east of England for those receiving treatment for the disease.

He is walking 7,000 miles around Britain to raise money to take the lifeline service nationwide and has hailed the warm welcome he received in Angus after passing through the area.

The Tyneside-based charity founder is trekking around the coastal path of Great Britain and Ireland to promote the service and encourage its replication nationwide with a double decker bus, Bluebell.

Brian set up the charity in 2010 after he left the business world and Daft as a Brush now operates 30 ambulances backed by 350 volunteers.

On March 5 the charity started its biggest project yet, when Brian and a group of walkers departed from the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, along with the specially converted bus.

The aim is to walk the coastal paths of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales in just over two years, raising funds to open Daft as a Brush “hubs” around Britain and Ireland.

Brian spent two nights at Carnoustie’s Kinloch Arms Hotel as he completed the stretch from the town to Montrose. He revealed how much he has loved the scenery during his walk.

“The coastline has been absolutely stunning,” he said. “When I was leaving Arbroath and I saw those red cliffs. Absolutely beautiful.”

Passing through Dundee, Brian also made time to pop into Ninewells Hospital where staff told him how supportive they are of his effort.

Brian Burnie visited the Bamse statue in Montrose during his trek around Britain.