Nina finishes NC500 challenge for sister
A MEDICAL student has completed a challenge of walking the North Coast 500 in aid of a charity set up by her mother following the death of her sister.
Nina Young, 20, from Edinburgh, took 34 days to walk from Inverness Castle to Applecross, Strathcarron, in Rossshire, Scotland.
Her younger sister Verity suffered from Lupus and cancer. She loved drawing and painting but hated hospitals.
Her mother Laura set up The Teapot Trust, an art therapy charity she founded following the eight-year-old’s death in 2009.
The Teapot Trust funds art therapists all over Scotland and in London and Liverpool, giving seriously ill children a way of relaxing before demanding treatments or stressful appointments.
Ms Young set up a fundraiser in Verity’s memory and, together with two friends who split their journey, they have raised more than £16,000.
Along with friends, Lunjika Nyirenda,19, a fellow Edinburgh medical student and
Jessie Brown, 21, from Kircubbin, Northern Ireland, they completed their challenge on Sunday.
Ms Young said: “I couldn’t be more chuffed that the walk’s come to fruition. Even after being attacked by a ‘bajillion’ midges and having our socks walked off our feet, I’ve enjoyed every minute and been blown away by the kindness of the people who’ve donated.
“Jika and Jessie have been amazing, I couldn’t have done it without them. I cannot wait to have a proper shower though.”
During the first nine days, Nina was joined by Ms Nyirenda, and MS Brown joined on day 10. However, Nina has done the whole trip being totally self-sufficient, carrying her food and camping gear along the way.
This fundraiser to support medicalised lives was inspired with The Proclaimers’ famous song I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), which she has been singing as motivation along to feetblistering journey.