A dedicated dad from Glenisla has completed an epic 556-mile trip across the Californian mountain peaks to raise more than £5000 for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation.
Ten years ago, Iain Ross’s son underwent a life-saving brain operation at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.
Mr Ross (46) gathered six friends together to take on the challenge with him, completing part of the famous John Muir trail through Yosemite National Park and surrounding areas.
Together, the team clocked up an impressive 86,000ft of vertical ascent over two weeks the equivalent of an Everest each.
Chartered accountant Iain, who works at Craig Group in Aberdeen, wanted to raise funds for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation to mark 10 years since his son Callum underwent his operation, just after his first birthday.
Iain said, “Callum made his first trip to Yosemite this year and I’ve been wanting to take a group of friends to experience the Yosemite I’ve known for a long time, so it seemed fitting to combine this life-long ambition with Callum’s anniversary to fund-raise again for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation.
“I took seriously ill myself six years ago and lost the sight in my right eye so to get a level of fitness back and lose three stone to allow me to do this challenge has been a life-changing experience in itself.Tremendous support”It felt right to push ourselves physically to make this amazing trip to remind us all of how lucky we are to still have Callum. He owes his life to the Sick Kids and we’ve received a tremendous amount of support throughout this challenge of a lifetime.
“The total is still rising and I hope to keep it going right through to Christmas as I have some amazing auction prizes still available on our justgiving page.”
The challenge dubbed We’re Gonna Walk 500 Miles, due to Iain’s passion for The Proclaimers has sparked interest from some exciting places.
Stephen Greenhorn, who wrote the Proclaimers’ musical Sunshine On Leith, donated a signed script from the show to be auctioned and Hilary Brooks, musical director at Dundee Rep, along with the cast of Sunshine On Leith, donated a signed vocal score.FantasticMaureen Harrison, chief executive of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said, “We are extremely grateful to Iain and the team for this fantastic donation. The challenge they took on was substantial but they certainly rose to it and moved mountains to support us.
“These funds will make a big difference to the lives of sick kids and their families from all over Scotland. Without people like Iain, we would not be able to continue the work we do at the Sick Kids Friends Foundation. A huge thank you to the whole team.”
Iain still has some superb auction items available on his justgiving page which will also go towards his fund-raising total.For details visit www.justgiving.com/Were-Gonna-Walk-500-Miles-support-Iain