The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
John’ s walk for wife who died of Covid
Agrieving Perthshire widower is set to tackle the West Highland Way in memory of his wife who died of Covid-19 last year.
Fiona Macdonald, 47, from Blairgowrie, died last April, four weeks after being diagnosed with the virus.
She was fit and healthy before testing positive, with no underlying health conditions.
Now her husband John, along with seven friends, is to walk the full 96 miles of the West Highland Way in five days to fundraise for the ICU team at Ninewells Hospital who cared for Fiona.
John, 55, said: “She was taken into hospital on March 18 via ambulance after collapsing at home having developed cold symptoms.
“She was given three Covid tests before one came back positive. Fiona’s condition deteriorated and she developed blood clots that required surgery.
“Following the surgery Fiona became more ill and we were called in to say our goodbyes four weeks after she was admitted to ICU.”
He added: “Fiona was a fit and healthy young woman with no underlying conditions.
“We are shocked and devastated at what happened. Fiona was loved by everyone she met.
“She was the most important part of our family and put being a mum and wife before anything else.”
Prior to her illness Fiona – mum to Jacquelyne, 29, Lauren, 26, and Scott, 19 – was a pupil support assistant at Hill Primary School in Blairgowrie.
John said: “It was a job she loved and used her skills as a great mum to look after, love and teach all of the children she worked with.”
A crowdfunder for the walk has already raised more than £10,000, smashing an initial £1,000 target.
John said that after her death his friends from 732 Alyth, St Ninian’s Masonic Lodge suggested they could help him raise money for the unit in her memory.
He said: “We want to give something back as a thank you.
“The ICU’s care of Fiona was outstanding.”
Setting off on September 6, John will be accompanied on the walk by Sandy Tosh, James Adams, Mark Milne, Scott Cameron, Ewan Cameron, Paul Gemine and David Robertson.
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/fionamacdonald