Charity trek challenge for Giffnock father and son

Ewen Cameron (51) intends to relive the hike he made back in 1986, following the 200-mile cattle trail from the Isle of Skye to his native Perthshire – and this time his eight8-year-old son Fraser will be striding out with him.

The two-week journey will take them through some of the country’s most challenging and scenic landscape before the pair end their hike at Crieff Highland Games on August 18.

The walk starts in Glen Brittle on Skye on Sunday, August 4, and already the pair have raised nearly £2,000 for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland through their Just Giving page.

“We’ve set a £3,000 target for these two charities which are close to our family’s heart,” explained Ewen, from Giffnock, who works with Scottish Enterprise.

“My mother Janette died of a heart related illness and this money will support world leading research taking place at Glasgow University.

“Fraser’s school – Hutchesons’ Grammar – has been raising money for SCAA so he wanted to support the air ambulance, which is based near Perth where mum lived.

“There is also a strong link for us between our two chosen charities as I understand that approximately 22 per cent of SCAA’s call outs are to cardiac emergencies.”

Fraser, who regularly hikes with his dad, will only walk the last six days of the challenge – the final 100 miles from Spean Bridge to Crieff.

“I have no worries about his ability to keep up,” said Ewen. “Fraser is already a keen Munro-bagger, with 13 under his belt and one equivalent in Austria. He’ll probably set the pace for me to keep up with!”

Ewen intends to follow the historic route trampled by the cattle drovers bringing their livestock to central markets.

“I walked this route with a friend when I was 18-years-old and I’ve always wanted to do it again,” he said. “This time it will be in memory of my mum – Fraser’s granny – and hopefully raise funds for two amazing

charities.”

The family is just back from a walking holiday in Austria and Fraser says he’s “fighting fit” for the task ahead.

“I’m really excited about it,” he said. “It’s great to be doing the challenge with my dad and I’m really motivated to raise as much money as I can for charity.”

James Cant, director of the British Heart Foundation Scotland, said: “Around 700,000 people in Scotland are living with heart and circulatory diseases and nearly 50 people a day die from these conditions. The British Heart Foundation wants to change this but we can only continue our life saving research with the support of the public and that is why we are so grateful to Ewen and Fraser for their fundraising efforts. We wish them all the very best and hope the weather stays kind for them too on their travels!”

Nick Harvey, SCAA’s director of Fundraising and Communications, thanked the pair for their support through the testing trek.

“It’s great community spirit like this which has helped to keep SCAA flying and we wish Ewen and Fraser all the best for the challenge ahead.

“Their physical trial and fundraising efforts will help to save lives and ensure SCAA is there for those most in need.”

To donate to the duo’s drover challenge, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/companyteams/camerons