Two Blairgowrie schoolgirls have tackled the latest leg of a remarkable trek to raise money for the Maggie’s Centre.
Karen Arnold (13) and her friend Meghan Bissett (12) are spending the Easter holidays from the town’s high school walking the Cateran Trail, the 64-mile circular route across Perthshire and the Angus Glens following paths taken by cattle rustlers hundreds of years ago.
They are doing it to raise funds for the centre at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee where Karen’s grandmother Phyllis received support before her death from cancer last year.
On Tuesday they completed the arduous upland section from Enochdhu to the Spittal of Glenshee and they were waved off by Karen’s grandfather Dennis (84), who hailed the girls’ effort.
Mr Arnold, who lives in Monifieth, said the girls were inspired to walk the Cateran Trail in memory of his wife.
He said, “Karen and Phyllis were very close and Karen wanted to do something to remember her by.
“I am a volunteer at the Maggie’s Centre in Dundee I welcome visitors, offer them a cup of tea or coffee, ask how we can help and then introduce them to the many specialist people there.
“The Maggie’s Centre does wonderful work and I know Phyllis would have been very pleased about Karen and Meghan doing something to raise funds for it.”‘Very special girls’He added, “One day Karen and Meghan visited the centre and the staff spoke to them about its work and showed them round. This inspired them to do the walk and the staff gave them T-shirts to wear.
“They are two very special girls, and their families are very proud of them for doing this.”
Karen said before setting off, “My grandmother died and I wanted to do something for her. My grandfather helps at the Maggie’s Centre on Fridays and we thought that would be a good place to raise money for.
“Meghan agreed to come with me and we have enjoyed the walks but I think this one will be quite hard.”
Karen and Meghan will be back on the trail on Thursday and are due to complete the trail before they return to school next week.
They have set up a website inviting donations and have already surpassed their target of £500.