Coastguards walk for Ali
Coastguard volunteers went the extra mile on a walk to Skye in memory of a colleague who died from cancer, writes Kathie Griffiths.
The group from Oban left Pulpit Hill on Thursday morning and arrived at Edinbane, Skye, at 5pm on Friday, foot-weary but elated, helped on the way by supplies of coffee and cake – with even a bottle of whisky handed out on route.
Ali MacNab, who was a key member of the town’s Coastguard Rescue Team, died in January 2016, aged 48.
Mr MacNab grew up in Edinbane and his friends walked a little further once they got there so they could reach Duibaig Beach where he used to fish with his dad.
Mr MacNab’s extended family joined them for a poignant photograph at the beach. By the end of the weekend the group had already topped its target of £1,500 with more donations and gift aid still coming in.
‘Next year? Already in the planning,’ said Iain MacKinnon, who was this year’s driver supporting team members Calum Carnie, Ron Stevenson, Steve Miller, Andy Barrie, Tim Aitkenhead and Davy Bryce. Funds will go to Cancer Research UK.
Last year’s walk brought in £6,500.
To make a donation go to justgiving.com/fundraising/ iain-mackinnon3