In April this year I lost my dad to Parkinsons; an illness he had lived with since 2012. Over the years it took so much from him but he faced with it with courage and dignity until the very end.
Those of you who knew him will know that he was a lifelong Hibernian fan. Supporting his team was one of the greatest pleasures (and sorrows!) of his life and making the pilgrimage to Easter Road was one of the last independent things he was able to manage before he passed away.
As a Hibs fan, he was also a Proclaimers fan. So, in his memory and to raise money for Parkinson’s UK, I have decided to walk 500 miles.
I’ve created this diary as a way to keep track of my mileage, store my photos and write a little bit about each walk to remind myself of each of them along the way. It’s also hopefully somewhere that people who have donated can come to see my progress and be assured that I am not just sitting on my couch eating a Crunchie.
By the time you read this I will probably be more than half way through the John Muir Way walking West to East across Scotland (as it’s taken me a little while to pull this together!), but still at least 400 miles from my target of 500. So there’s still a fair bit to go. The West Highland Way is next on the list but whether weather (or Covid19 restrictions!) will allow in 2020 remains to be seen. My aim is to finish with a final walk, in the sunshine, through Leith to Easter Road in April 2021 on my dad’s birthday. Fingers crossed.
I hope you enjoy following my journey and if you haven’t already and would like to donate a few pounds to the cause and make the lives of those suffering from Parkinsons and those who care for them a little easier, please do. Thank you.
Hopefully I won’t fall down at the door at the end….X
Debbie's 500 Miles for Parkinson's UK 