CUPAR COUPLE John and Margaret Hendry yesterday began a new chapter in the story of their prolific walking exploits as they set off around the Fife coast to raise funds for charity.

The pair, who are retired, have already conquered all of Scotland’s munros twice over—and the extra 227 “tops”—and now they are well on the way to com- pleting the 80 miles of the coastal path.

They decided to take on the trek to celebrate John’s 70th birthday and to raise cash for DEBRA, a charity which funds support services for victims of epidermolysis bullosa (EB).

The charity also helps with specialist treatment, and Dundee University-led research into the search for a cure.

EB is a rare genetic disease which sees fragile skin blisters result from even the mildest friction, and at the moment there is no cure and no effective treatment.

One girl being helped is young Adana Forsyth, of Montrose, who has to take 20 types of medicine a day and is up most nights with pain.

John said yesterday he decided to support the charity and help raise its profile after seeing a television programme about EB last year.

“Seeing what people had to suffer made a real impact on me and, after returning from a trip to New Zealand, we decided to take on the coastal walk.

“We will be doing a different section every day and finishing on Sunday at the Tay Road Bridge.”

John and Margaret were yesterday joined by son Alan and friends Bill and Olive Nicoll for the first stage between North Queensferry and Kinghorn.

Anyone who wishes to sponsor them can contact (01334) 652822.