Granny’s walking challenge raises cancer support funds
Mull granny Fiona Brown is going the extra mile in lockdown to raise funds for a cancer charity.
The 80-year-old has taken up the challenge of walking from her doorstep in Pennyghael to Craignure and back, in daily stages, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Mrs Brown took up walking to keep fit and beat boredom, and wanted to make her steps count.
Her fundraising link is www.justgiving.com/fundraising/walkonmull
‘I’ve known many people who have benefited from the care and support of Macmillan nurses, so I thought it was as good a cause as any to support,’ said Mrs Brown whose grand-daughter Rowan Watkins in Taynuilt has been giving social media support so followers can track her granny’s progress and make donations.
Mrs Brown hit her target of £1,500 with a few miles to go – past leaning stones and through forests taking in Mull’s breathtaking – in more than one way – scenery.
‘I started from my door and walked a few miles and back. Now I take the car to where I finished the day before and set off again. By the time the challenge is complete, I’ll have got to Craignure and back – about 42 miles,’ said Mrs Brown, who has lived on Mull since 1986 but has family links going back long before that. ‘The number of miles I do each day depends on the weather, but people can follow me using Strava. I’m hoping if people see an 80-year-old can do this, it will inspire them to get out walking or make a donation to Macmillan,’ she added.
Grand-daughter Rowan said: ‘Granny is quite a character. She’s pretty impressive. I’m sure she’ll inspire a lot of people to get out and get walking. She rang me very excited when she hit her fundraising target and then was back out walking again. She has now just phoned me to say she’s extending the walk to include a walk out to Duart Castle as well. ’