Pals setting out on a trek for grandad
A GROUP of friends from Swadlincote are preparing to a trek through the wilderness of the Scottish Highlands to raise money in memory of one’s grandfather who died from Alzheimer’s Disease.
Sam Smith, Curtis Staple and Christopher Onions will be taking the West Highland Way from Glasgow to Fort William as part of a trek to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research.
The group, from South Derbyshire and North West Leicestershire, be walking a total of 96 miles across six days.
One of the men, Curtis Staple, has said that he is doing it to raise money to remember his grandfather who died of Alzheimer’s.
Curtis said: “For me I have seen it as a cruel disease. July will be the fourth year anniversary of my grandfather’s death. Hugh Mchendrie passed away four years ago. He was a much loved and much-missed man.
“When he was in the hospital you could see the changes. He also had cancer and Parkinsons’ and it was hard to see but I’m glad I didn’t see the harsh reality.
“For me at least, it is a tribute towards him. I will keep strong and I’m very excited to do this.”
Sam, a psychologist, said: “It is something we are all interested in and we know that there are personal connections with Curtis’ grandfather.
“The route starts just outside Glasgow and we will be walking over 96 miles in six days. We will be trekking around 20 miles a day through the Scottish Highlands.
“It is a big challenge and if we are still friends by the end of it, then it has been a success!”
TRIO ARE WALKING TO RAISE MONEY IN MEMORY OF ALZHEIMER’S VICTIM
“We have chosen to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society. Dementia is not a natural part of aging. It is caused by diseases of the brain and gradually gets worse over time. It is something that is personally interesting to me as a psychologist, so it was the obvious choice.”
The three men have all known each other from school and working together at Twycross Zoo.
Curtis, 31, added: “We were friends at school but we were never really all that close. It was when we started working together at Twycross Zoo one summer that we all got to know each other. Since then we have always spoken.”
The group say that they will have to train both physically and psychologically if they are to succeed in the challenge.
Sam, 31 from Swadlincote, added: “We all recognise that it is going to be difficult both physically and mentally. I do half marathons so I am used to pushing myself but this will be the biggest challenge I have ever done.
“The way we are getting through it is that we are seeing it as an opportunity to raise some money for Alzheimer’s Research. We do
enjoy the physical activity but it will be a perfect opportunity to push ourselves.
“In a way, I think the thing we are most concerned with is the weather. We have chosen to do it in August so fingers crossed the weather will be good but it is Scotland after all. We will be staying in B&BS and hostels along the way.
“I think there is a general mixture of excitement and awareness of how tough this challenge is going to be.
“It is hard waiting for the moment but in the end it is something new and it is a challenge. It is those positive feelings that we have all missed in lockdown.”
Curtis, who is from Moira, added: “I do feel confident, I am quite a strong minded person so I hope that will see me and the rest of us through.
“I’m most worried about my feet as I am flat footed. It’s just a case of us all getting on now. We should be fine.
“This is a way of remembering my grandfather. If I could be half as good a grandfather as he was it would be an honour.”
To donate to the group’s crowdfunder, go to www.justgiving.com and search for Samchriscurt10.