Hi my name is Mike McDonald .

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Last year a friend mine Paul McGuigan, who I grew up with, was tragically shot dead last August whilst working in Iraq for a security company. Paul Was an ex -Royal Marine Commando. 

Paul has been described as a man mountain, who was larger than life, louder than thunder but a true gentleman at heart. Not only was Paul a true professional at work but he was also a loving caring family man. Everyone who was lucky enough to know Paul will miss his laughter, stories and his friendship.

Having grown up with Paul and knowing the sort of character that he was I wanted to do something that Paul would be proud of and would honour his memory. I was at a complete loss of what to do until at work a couple of months ago I found out about a challenge that a couple of my colleagues had been talking about. It involved walking the West Highland Way, a total of 95 miles, in two days! Yes that's right two days!!!

Perfect! I thought what better way to do something that would raise some money for the RMBF and at the same time is keeping with the Royal Marine ethos and the Commando Spirit of courage, determination, unselfishness, and cheerfulness in the face of adversity which let's face it by the 40th mile on day two I reckon I am going to need a laugh!

The challenge is planned for the 27th and the 28th of May 2010 and doing it with me will be a team from work who are raising money for Children's Hospice Association.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Thank you.

Mike McDonald

 

Training Update 28/04/10

Hi All

Well time is rapidly approaching and the big day is now only 4 weeks away! As well as training pretty hard I have also just moved house, I not sure if going for a 10 km run or 30 mile yomp (hike) has been a good way of getting out of doing the decorating! I am starting to feel pretty confident of doing this madcap challenge not that there was ever any doubt. My best time for a 30 miler to date is 9:14 hrs which I am quite pleased with but at the end of it I was completely knackered and I would have struggled to walk another 15-16 miles, However I know I am going to have dig deep and remember why I am doing this challenge.

Over the past few months I have become a West Highland Way bore, talking more and more about training and what kit to take and of course the actual big day itself. It's funny that when I tell people about what I am doing the response always seems to be the same of are you mad? And you'll never do it! Not 97 miles in 2 days! which is great  because this makes me all the more determined to prove them wrong and to achieve something in the memory of a great guy that I was lucky enough to be friends with.

 

Mike

 

Friday 14/05/10

Hi all,

I have just come back from a gut busting 7 mile run with a pack on, finishing with a big hill known now as B*****d Hill! I thought that I would just check my emails before a shower and check my donations page. What a suprise! I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everybody for your donations and more importantly your support and kind words. especially from those who where close to Paul. I am in contact with Pauls mum, Corinne, quite a lot and when I speak to her not only does she give me tremendous encouragement but also lots of laughter as she struggles with the 'in two days!' bit every time! Brilliant!

Thanks once again.

Only twelve days to go!

Mike