Kirkcaldy friends complete a Mighty Hike in memory of their parents

Lyndsey Thomson and Barbara Ramsay completed Macmillan’s Rob Roy Mighty Hike as the ‘Bairy Hikers’ – a 26-mile marathon from Callender to Killin – to raise money for cancer support.

The event is Macmillan’s largest activity fundraiser in Scotland and is set to raise around £1 million for the charity.

Lyndsey lost her dad, 64-year-old John to the disease on September 5 last year, whilst Barbara’s mum, Nan, died age 84 in 2016 from lung cancer.

“When he was initially diagnosed he was given 18 months to two years,” Lyndsey said, “but we quickly found out it was much more advanced than first thought.

“Although he knew it was not curable and he was terminal, he had the most positive attitude and wanted to put everything into fighting it.”

The pair are experienced walkers having taken part in the Moonwalk before but Lyndsey says this year was tough going emotionally.

“I was hard and it was really emotional when we crossed the line,” she said.

“It’s just over a year since I lost my dad and three since Barbara lost her mum.

“We had ‘Dad’ and ‘Mum’ written on our t-shirts and we held hands when we finished and both had tears in our eyes.

“It was sad, but it was good.

“And we completed it in nine and half hours, which was 830th out of just over 2000 so that wasn’t too bad!

The pair had hoped to raise £1,500 but Lyndsey says they have passed that figure: “We’re almost at £1,800 so we’re really pleased with that.”