Walking For Maggie's

A retired Fife GP is preparing to embark on a 117 mile walk for Maggie's Fife.

Doctor Bob Grant, who lost his leg to cancer, will set off from the Kelpie's in Falkirk on 13th June 2015. He was first diagnosed with cancer as a teenager, just weeks after he lost his best friend to the disease.  He decided to have his leg amputated in 2002 after living for years with pain and infection.  This year’s walk will be his fourth for Maggie’s and his longest so far at 117 miles.
 
Dr Bob’s walk will start at the Kelpies just a few miles from the site of Maggie’s Forth Valley, which is being built at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert.  Walking for nine continuous days, joined by groups of friends and supporters along the way, Bob will arrive at Maggie’s Dundee on Sunday 21 June.  On the final day of his walk, Dr Bob will be joined by up to 100 riders from Harley Davidson Dunedin Chapters throughout Scotland.
  
Dr Bob said:  “My enthusiasm for Maggie’s continues to grow.  It is vital that funds are raised to ensure that the essential support that Maggie’s gives to people affected by cancer, and their family and friends, can continue.
 
“This is my fourth walk for Maggie’s and I know it will be exhausting because it’s day after day.  It will be tiring but I know the endorphins will be flowing and any fatigue will be overwhelmed by the buzz!”
 
With the start of the walk just weeks away, Dr Bob is busy training to get his fitness up and hardening his hands for the work ahead: “Because of the crutches, I get sore shoulders and my hands are always very painful by the last day.  This year, I hope to have a choice of two pairs of crutches which will allow me to alter the strain on my skeleton.  And, I always carry several pairs of gloves to choose from to subtly alter the pressure points on my hands.”
 
Looking forward to starting the walk in June, he added:  “There are so many things to enjoy!  In previous years, I have been joined en route by so many generous and interesting people and I look forward to meeting more this year.  The route of the walk will take me through so many interesting and beautiful places.  I can never get enough of the Fife Coastal Path and I’m looking forward to the ever-changing scenery, the wildlife, the East Neuk villages and of course the finale in Dundee.  The last day is always amazing and always surprisingly emotional.”
 
Alison Harrow Centre Head at Maggie’s Fife said: “We are so proud of Dr Bob.  He is fantastically committed to supporting Maggie’s, both in his work as Chair of our Fife Board, and also through this extraordinary challenge and the amazing funding he has already raised which helps Maggie’s to keep on supporting people with cancer and their family and friends. 
 
“Travelling 117 miles on crutches is an exceptionally tough challenge and everyone at Maggie’s wishes him the best of luck for fine weather and an enjoyable journey.  Numerous members of Maggie’s staff and volunteers will be joining Dr Bob at points along his route, so we will be able to cheer him on.”
 
Since his first walk for Maggie’s in 2007, Dr Bob has raised more than £40,000 for the charity.