The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Golfer driven to save lives with epic trek
While plenty of fundraisers attempt the John o’ Groats to Land’s End route, not many do it armed with a bag of golf clubs.
But that’s exactly what David Sullivan is doing after setting himself the world’s longest golf hole challenge.
The former armed forces skiing and mountain craft trainer is planning 70 stops along the way and estimates he will make around 250,000 shots.
Not only will he be pursuing his golfing passion, he will be helping to save lives – by delivering CPR training sessions along the way.
Mr Sullivan set off from John o’ Groats yesterday and expects to arrive at Land’s End in 10 weeks, along with his 21-year-old son Freddie.
On his way through the Highlands, he’ll stop off at five golf courses including Wick Golf Club, Dornoch Golf Club and King’s Golf Club in Inverness.
The 58-year-old is taking on the challenge to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. He was inspired to do so after he saved a man who had suffered a cardiac arrest in front of him on a golf course.
Mr Sullivan gave the man CPR for 17 minutes before he could be treated with a defibrillator. This life-ordeath situation made him determined to teach others the vital skill.
He said: “It was thanks to my training, and a defibrillator being nearby,
that I was able to help save the man, who luckily made a full recovery.
“When something like that happens right in front of you, it makes you realise how precious life is and how important it is to know what to do in that kind of emergency.
“It was an experience that profoundly affected me, and now it’s my mission to create an army of life savers all over the country.”
At every one of his 70 stops between John o’ Groats and Land’s End, Mr Sullivan will be training local people in CPR.
Mr Sullivan aims to raise £60,000 through the challenge to be used to place life-saving defibrillators in villages, towns and cities.
And his mission has caught the attention of retailer American Golf.
Chief executive Gary
Favell said: “When we heard about the incredible challenge David had set himself, we immediately wanted to lend American Golf ’s support.
“David has found a way to harness his golfing prowess not only to highlight the importance of knowing CPR, but to train people along his journey while raising funds for the British Heart Foundation – he is a true inspiration.”