AN INSPIRATIONAL Fife doctor is preparing to walk across Scotland in a week-long fund-raiser to raise more money for Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres.

Dr Bob Grant, who works as a GP in Markinch, had treatment for cancer in his leg when he was just 14 years old and subsequently had to have his leg amputated in 2002.

Undaunted, Dr Grant has since managed to raise tens of thousands of pounds for Maggie’s through previous fund-raising exploits, including a sponsored walk of Fife’s Coastal Path, and is now setting himself the daunting challenge of walking from Bowling to Kirkcaldy —a near 80-mile trip across the central belt.

His seven-day ‘Hop Across Scotland’ endeavour starts at 10.30am on Thursday, September 17, in Dunbartonshire and will take him along the Forth and Clyde Canal to the Falkirk Wheel and then along to Edinburgh.

He will then cross the Forth Road Bridge and join the Fife Coastal Path to finish at Maggie’s Fife in Kirkcaldy.

During the walk he will also visit the Maggie’s Centres in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Dr Grant said, “This time around I wanted to do something different from my previous fund-raisers for Maggie’s so organised my hop across Scotland.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge of the route and to visiting the Maggie’s Centres in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fife as part of my journey.

“I’ll be joined by friends and family, but would also like to invite local walkers to join us for as little or as long as they like along the way.

“Young or old, everyone is welcome to join us in what I’m sure will be another brilliant walk for Maggie’s.

“I’m a long term supporter of Maggie’s because I know what wonderful places Maggie’s Centres are and how much help and support they can give to people with cancer, their families and friends.”

Dr Grant’s last successful walk, which saw him joined by friends, family and other Maggie’s supporters, raised around £15,000, but this time Dr Grant hopes to surpass his previous fund-raising total.

Further details on the walk can be found on www.bobswalk.co.uk and there will be live updates there during the walk.

Anyone wishing to join in with all or part of the walk should contact Bob on info@bobswalk.co.uk, phone (01592) 610396 or to donate to boost his fund-raising total visit www.justgiving.com/ bobswalk2009.