Perth man’s epic trek to raise cash in memory of his father

CHARITY: Marie Curie boosted by £2,700 from 117-mile coastal path walk

A Perth man has completed a 117-mile trek around Fife in memory of his father, raising thousands for the charity that supported him in his final weeks.

Andrew Miller finished the Fife Coastal Path challenge stopping just once to briefly get some shut-eye.

Having completed the scenic path with dad Rob three years ago, Andrew, 41, thought it would be the most fitting way to raise cash for Marie Curie, which supported Methilhill-born Rob, who died in June aged 68 after an almost decade-long battle with cancer.

Perth Triathalon Club coach Andrew said: “This isn’t the first time I’d walked this path. In 2017, my dad and I completed the route over 10 days throughout the course of the year.

“Completing the Fife Coastal Path was a big achievement for him due to his age and his health, as he was undergoing cancer treatment during this time.

“We both enjoyed the time together, walking round a county we were so familiar with, but seeing it from a different angle. He would tell me stories along the way from growing up in the area, which I continue to share with my family.”

Earlier this month, Andrew set off from Kincardine at midnight on what he knew would be more than a day of solid walking.

“I was very keen to revisit the path and relive some of the memories we’d made, but also to try to raise some money for Marie Curie, which had made a real difference to our family at the end of his life,” he said.

“My wife was out in front with a campervan making food and I had a new walking partner every 20 miles.”

After 70 miles, Andrew stopped for an hour’s sleep at Kingsbarns, crossing the finish line in Newburgh 40 hours after setting off – and raising more than £2,700 in the process.

Andrew crosses the finishing line in Newburgh.