A selfless Angus teenager who has seen at first hand the devastating affects Parkinson’s has had on her family is planning to walk 23 miles in a day for charity.
Amy Ralston, 13, from Carnoustie, is to set out on the fundraising trail with her dad Johnston during her school holidays to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK.
But this is not the first time the third-year Carnoustie High School pupil has put others before herself.
Last Christmas she used her own money to buy hats and gloves which she handed out to the homeless on Dundee’s streets, and in the summer she made up sandwiches which she again donated, along with bottles of water, to the homeless.
Last year she and her friends Charlotte Davidson and Rebecca Kiernan raised £1,016 for the charity 18 And Under through the school’s Youth Philanthropy Initiative project.
On that occasion the girls walked to Arbroath and back, held a bake sale and Amy made and sold magnets.
For her latest fundraiser she will be accompanied by her dad, Johnston, as they walk the 26 miles between Carnoustie and Dundee.
Johnston said: “This has been Amy’s idea, she is really into fundraising.
“She is selfless – when she handed out the gloves and hats to the homeless last Christmas, one woman cried.
“Everyone was so grateful and so overcome she had taken the time to do that.
“We are walking from our home to Dundee and back on July 24 for Parkinson’s UK to support their research and care of Parkinson’s sufferers.
“We have chosen Parkinson’s UK because of the dreadful impact it has on individuals and families, including our own.
“My wife Claire’s grandmother has it.
“We had discussion as a family. We have all seen its affects first hand.
“We will raise money for Parkinson’s UK to support their research and care of Parkinson’s sufferers.”
Johnston, 36, a history teacher at Forfar Academy, is hoping they will complete the walk in eight hours.
He continued: “Amy has little legs compared to me, but I am more of a stroller than a marcher.
“Amy is a lot fitter than me and is in training at the moment, she will lead the way.
“She is out training every night, I am terrified she will leave me for dead.”
Donations can be made via the www.justgiving.com/fundraising/johnston-ralston
