Four determined Bonhill friends are taking on the West Highland Way to raise funds for a baby loss charity.
Jamie MacLean, John Brennan, Glen Halliday and Stuart Mcfarlane are currently undergoing the gruelling 96-mile trek for Baby Loss Retreat.
Taxi driver Jamie decided to organise the challenge in support of his neighbour Gemma Wallace and her partner, after tragically losing their daughter Maisie at 26 weeks.
The Lennox Herald has reported how Gemma raised an incredible £2,640 for the charity, which has given her vital support.
The organisation supports all those affected by miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death, providing one-to-one support, counselling and giving bereaved parents the opportunity to go away on tranquil retreats.
The pals set off from Milngavie on Sunday and expect to finish their challenge on Thursday.
Speaking beforehand, Jamie said: “I’m doing it as a personal challenge as I’ve always wanted to do the West Highland Way, though for some of the guys it is personal.
“The reason I picked the charity is because Gemma is my neighbour and when tragedy happens you don’t always have the words but want to do something to show your support.
“There’s also a lot of local people who have been affected by baby loss and we wanted to do something for this charity as it’s doing amazing work.
“I have a wee girl Sophie who is six and also has a little sister on the way. It’s obviously a worry and can happen to anyone.”
The four friends all live in Bonhill and were looking forward to getting started on the hike, which runs from Milngavie to Fort William.
Jamie added: “We’re all pretty fit though I haven’t managed to fit in any hill walking.
“I play football and last year I was fit enough to run up Ben Lomond so I’m resting on my laurels!”
They intend to cover around 20 miles a day and won’t be relying on help with baggage and accommodation as many do, instead lugging their own gear for most of the challenge.
Jamie continued: “We’ll be wild camping and taking stoves with us to cook our own food. For the first two days, there will be the option of having a lighter load as a big tent is being set up on the second day but the last two days will just be us and we’ll be carrying all our own gear. It will be tough.”
The lads were planning on raising around £100 each but have already smashed this and hoping to raise even more.
To spur them on, donate by visiting here
