Magnificent seven
A TEAM of seven Coastguard volunteers has raised thousands for charity from a monster sponsored walk between Oban and Skye.
A TEAM of Oban Coastguard volunteers have completed a marathon walk in memory of colleague Ali MacNab.
Ali, a long-serving member of the Oban Coastguard Rescue Team, died in January last year aged 48 following a battle with cancer.
The Coastguard team hiked from Pulpit Hill in Oban to Edinbane on the Isle of Skye and raised in excess of £5,000 which will go to Macmillan Cancer Support.
The walk started at Pulpit Hill where the Coastguard team have placed a bench in memory of Ali. The bench faces the Sound of Mull and in the distance is Ali’s home island of Skye. The distance walked was 174 miles – or approximately 800,000 steps.
Ali was brought up at Edinbane but he lived and worked in Oban. As part of the Coastguard team, Ali attended many incidents. His good humour, strength of character, and willingness to help others made him the Coastguard others aspired to be.
Taking part in the walk were Iain MacKinnon, Davy Bryce, Calum Carnie, Ron Stevenson, Steve Millar, Andy Barrie and Tim Aitkenhead – all Coastguard volunteers.
Donations were received from individuals, businesses in Oban and on Skye, and from people who donated cash and sustenance for the walkers.
The team said that thoughts are now turning to 2018 when it is planned to undertake another fundraising initiative – perhaps walking the length of the Western Isles, finishing on Skye.