Jim Leishman once again donned walking boots for the fifth Dander for Mary in which tributes are being paid to a stalwart of the fundraising event.
This year walkers are remembering their Dutch friend Henk Segerius, who drove the minibus and was a key figure behind the charity trek, which has been held each year following the death of Jim’s wife Mary.
Henk passed away in December at the age of 70. A group set off from St Andrews on Thursday, making their way along the Fife Coastal Path to Anstruther where they stayed last night at the Craw’s Nest Hotel.
Jim, who as Provost of Fife had a council meeting to attend in the morning, joined the walk in the afternoon.
He said: “I’ve got my boots on and I’m ready to go. Henk was a major part of it. He was a character and everybody loved him. We’ll never forget him and what he did.”
The Dunfermline legend said a few new walkers had joined the group this year.
He added: “It’s a good group and we’re all going to have a good laugh. The rain doesn’t bother us.”
It is hoped the walk will raise thousands for the Mary Leishman Foundation. To date, the charity has raised £300,000 for many different charities, promoting its aims of encouraging potential and easing distress.
On Friday, walkers will set off from Anstruther and end the day in Leven. On Saturday night they will stay in Aberdour before heading for the finish line in North Queensferry.
A special tribute to Henk has been planned for the last four miles.
His wife and foundation secretary Ele Segerius said: “Henk had a famous saying. When their feet were killing them and there were another 15 miles to go, he would say to them ‘only four more miles’.
“So we’ll walk the last four miles with T-shirts that say on the back ‘four more miles’.”
Covering the last four miles will be members of the Segerius clan including Ele’s three-week old grandson Hendry.
“He will probably just sleep the whole journey,” she said.
Ele added: “Henk was a very young 70, so it was very emotional this morning and there was a minute of applause for him.”