Mike to walk 500 miles for cancer charity
Published: September 24, 2004
MIKE Illsley is undertaking a cross Scotland walk of 800km (500 miles) to raise funds for Cancer Research UK Scotland and Leukaemia Research this September.
Mike (51), set out from Auchterarder School on Monday, September 6, and plans to walk an average of 45 km (28 miles) a day before returning to the town on September 23.
His route has taken him across to the east coast at Dundee, north to Peterhead (the furthest point east in Scotland), then inland across Aberdeenshire to Aviemore, then south easterly to Fort William and from there out to the most westerly point in mainland Scotland, at Ardnamurchan Point.
He will then head homewards through Glencoe, Crianlarich, Lochearnhead and Crieff before arriving back at Auchterarder on Thursday, September 23.
On each day of the walk Mike will receive backing from work colleagues, school staff, friends and family who will either walk with him or drive the support vehicle.
Mike is the project manager for Robertson Construction and will just have completed the three-and-a-half year project in building the new Community School in Auchterarder.
The pupils of Auchterarder School will be getting involved particularly on the day of his return to the town. The walk is being fully backed by the Robertson Group and the Community School of Auchterarder.
Mike says: “I did a similar charity walk for cancer research 11 years ago and raised over £13,000.
“This time I wanted to raise funds for Cancer Research UK Scotland and Leukaemia Research and hope to raise in excess of that amount. I am looking forward to the challenge.
“The last walk was 1,000km so this should be a lot easier! Anyone interested in supporting me can contact me on 01764 664336.”
Dorothy Rodger, community fundraiser with Cancer Research UK Scotland says: “This is a huge effort to raise funds for cancer research and we hope that people will support Mike on the route.
“There are many ways in which people can support Cancer Research UK Scotland and you can find out more by calling 08701 60 20 40.”
Joyce House of Leukaemia Research adds:: “We are delighted that Mike has undertaken this challenge to raise money to support vital research into leukaemia and related diseases. Leukaemia can affect people of all ages – the more money we can raise – the sooner scientists can find a way to defeat the disease.”
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