Story
Thank you for visiting my JustGiving page supporting the MND Association.
My friend Paul Leverton has been a keen footballer all his life, and has recently been diagnosed with MND.
It was a life changing event for him, and I spoke to Paul just after he received the diagnosis and we both agreed that something positive should come out of his situation, so he kindly allowed us to take on the below challenges for him.
So, the West Highland Way (WHW) is no joke, it's a 100 mile trail through forests, glens, lochs and midges in the West Scottish Highlands, stretching from Glasgow to Fort William.
I'll be mountain biking it over 4 days:
Day One: Mingavie to Rowaddenan - 24 miles
Day Two: Rowaddenan to Tyndrum - 25 miles
Day Three: Tyndrum to Kingshouse - 19 miles
Day Four: Kingshouse to Fort William - 24 miles
Looking at the above you might think it's very doable, but the WHW is a serious challenge, it's a rocky track one or two people wide generally.
With many challenges waiting for me, like staircases, bridges and ropes, punctures, midges and remoteness, and with The Devils Staircase on Day Four 1,804 ft above sea level, a semi-fit man in my late 40's like me is going to find this tough, but that's the point and I can't wait!
Start/End | Milngavie/Fort William
Min Elevation | 23 ft / 7 m
Max Elevation | 1800 ft / 549 m
Total Ascent | 13189 ft / 4020 metres
Total Descent | 13379 ft / 4078 metres
100 miles.
4 days.
Millions of Midges.
I'll be posting regular updates during the challenge, both on here, and possibly on youtube which I'll link nearer the time.
BUT THERE'S MORE!
The day after I finish the WHW, myself and Paul's two sisters will be climbing the Pap of Glencoe. We're hoping the weather is good, and can get a fantastic picture for Paul and the MNDA, having just climbed a Mountain. Something Paul and people like him with MND have to deal with every day.
Wish us luck!
Please consider donating, MND is a serious condition which we need to find therapies and hopefully a cure for.