A retired Church of Scotland minister is putting on his walking boots in a bid to raise £10,000 for Scottish sports stars of the future.
The Rev Cameron Mackenzie from Freuchie has set himself a 101-mile challenge in aid of SportsAid Scotland, which gives financial support and recognition to young sportsmen and women at the start of their careers.
The 86-year-old plans to take several weeks to walk 100 miles and swim one mile and is already a quarter of the way through the feat.
This is the second time he has undertaken a mammoth challenge in aid of charity. A few years ago he, along with family and friends, raised £10,000 for Alzheimer’s Scotland.
A member of walking group Pitlessie Plodders, Mr Mackenzie said much of the latest challenge would be completed with other members of the group as well as with friends and relatives.
“I plan to do 100 miles walking and hill climbing and another mile swimming, which is 200 lengths of the Lomond Hotel swimming pool,” he said.
“I’ve already completed 25 miles of the walk and a quarter of a mile swimming.”
Widower Mr Mackenzie, whose first church was in Lumphinnans in the 1960s, said he hoped people would donate to SportsAid, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
The charity gives grants to talented sporting youngsters aged 12 to 22 and to disabled athletes of any age who have the potential to compete for Scotland.
“This is helping young people to achieve in sport,” he said.
“It doesn’t get as much attention as some other charities but it’s very worthwhile.”
Anyone wishing to donate can do so online via www.justgiving.com/ScottishSportsAid or www.justgiving.com/cameron-mackenzie2.