Having celebrated a milestone birthday this year, I wanted to kick off a new decade in my life by taking on what for me will be a considerable physical challenge, at the same time as raising funds for a charity which does such amazing work every day of the year, the Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity.

My plan is to walk across Scotland, beginning my journey where I was born and grew-up all those years ago, the town of Ayr and then travelling across the country to somewhere I have spent almost half my life, The Compass School in Haddington.

Travelling coast to coast, it is estimated that the journey will be in the region of 100-120 miles in length. Walking over 4-5 days from 24-28 May, means that I will be covering between 25-30 miles a day. I look forward to hopefully arriving at The Compass School, Haddington on Thursday 28 May.

I am pleased that I will be joined in this challenge by my colleague, Colin Pryde, piping instructor at The Compass School and someone with many years of experience of multi-day walking challenges.

At the same time as giving myself what will be the biggest physical challenge of my life, I also have set myself the target of raising valuable funds for the Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity. As a primary school headteacher, I have become increasingly aware of the tremendous work and support which the charity provides to seriously ill children and their families when facing a potentially life-changing hospital visit and was able to see this work first hand when I visited the hospital in March. The charity’s work depends entirely on donations and voluntary support and I would like to raise as much money as possible for the charity through taking on and completing this challenge. Any donations received will help to speed up recovery, take away fear, and provide reassurance, distraction and fun every step of the way to children who need it most and I would like to thank you for any support you can provide me in helping me reach my fundraising target.