Angie McKenzie is a natural born life saver.
As a full time paramedic, the Kirriemuir mum-of-three, is among the first to respond when people in the Tayside area have been badly injured, are desperately ill, or in harm’s way.
She is now expanding her horizons, as far afield as South America to be exact, as she takes the mountain trail to Machu Picchu to raise funds for cancer research.
Angie, 40, is training hard as she prepares for the arduous four-day trek to the once lost city of the Incas, nearly 2,500 above sea level in Peru. She tackles the route from May 15 to 23 next year.
Angie said: “When I land in Peru, it will take two days to acclimatise because of the high altitude. Then we have four days of walking approximately eight hours per day through beautiful terrain on the little-used route through the Ranrayoc Valley at heights of 4,600 metres. Then we reach the sun gate and the sacred site of Machu Picchu.”
On the Inca trail, with other Charity Challenge fundraisers, Angie was inspired to raise money for leukaemia and lymphoma research by her mother’s illness.
She said: “Mum has a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma called Waldenstrom Macroglobulanaemia (WM). The causes are still unknown, but around 11,700 people are diagnosed with lymphoma every year in the UK.
Angus continued: “I am desperate to raise as much money as I can for this worthy charity so they can continue their research.”
When Angie turned 40 this year, she asked family and friends to donate money to the charity rather than giving her gifts.
Through their generosity, she raised £1000 towards her charity trek and a further £500, which she gave to the haematology unit at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
She said: “That’s where my mum gets her treatment and the money will go towards purchasing equipment that will benefit the patients. The staff at Ninewells have all been fantastic and so supportive.”
As for the training, Angie is a keen hill walker, which should stand her in reasonable stead for the vertiginous route through the Cusco region. But she’s also working hard at the gym and in the swimming pool to build her fitness.
Angie explained: “I want the trek to be enjoyable rather than a struggle. It can be a bit of a struggle to fit in regular training, what with working 12-hour shifts and being a mum-of-three, but I’m trying hard to do what I can.
“The kids (Nicole, 20, Aimee, 18, and Ross, 7) are really chuffed that I am taking this on. They are right behind me and want me to raise as much money as possible for a very worthy cause.”
The intrepid paramedic is holding a coffee morning on Saturday, November 29, from 10am to 12 midday in the Guide Hall, The Roods, Kirriemuir to raise funds.
She is also busy planning a Hogmanay bash and a race night in February at the Northmuir Hall, to generate cash.
People can also donate via www.justgiving.com/AngelaMcKenzie
Photo by Angus Pictures