John and I are walking the West Highland Way the first week of May this year to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary.  We had discussed various holidays to celebrate this special anniversary and settled on the idea of walking the West Highland Way.  This has always been on our "to do" list and then came the thought about raising money for a charity at the same time as doing the walk.  Which charity was the next question and from that question the answer was  very clear.  The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).  SSAFA is this year celebrating 125 years of service and support to Britain's Armed Forces and is a charity close to our hearts.

John joined the KOSBs (Kings Own Scottish Borderers) as a boy soldier at the tender age of just 16, and served his full years finishing up his army career as Admin Assistant to the CRLS at Craigiehall, Kirkliston, just outside of Edinburgh, which is now 2 Div HQ Scotland. I met John when I lived in Inverness and the batallion was stationed at Fort George.  I met John through mutual friends and we've never looked back.  Although we have not needed to approach SSAFA for assistance, we do know of many people who have had the benefit of their wonderful support. They do a fantastic job and your donation, no matter how much, will be put to very good use.

Assisting us on this walk will be very good friends of ours, Jim and Mary Grundison whom we have had the good fortune to know for almost ten years now.  Their assistance will prove invaluable.  They intend to meet us at the end of our days walking and drive us to wherever it is we are staying for the night and then return us back to the same point the following day so that we may continue on our way, suitably refreshed.  They will travel ahead with our belongings so that we carry only the essentials required for that particular day and provide moral support when Diane starts her moaning (which will no doubt be from day 1).  They intend to take regular photographs and update the website with news of the day so make this web page a short cut and keep in touch.  It should make for an interesting read!

In the meantime, thank you so much for supporting John and I on our adventure.

Diane and John