John Forysth will be taking to the water next month in an attempt to paddle 50-miles around the loch in a little more than three days.

The sprightly pensioner, who looks onto the loch from his home at Lower Foyers, decided to undertake the challenge to raise money for Alzheimer Scotland as he is in the early stages of the condition.

Mr Forysth was diagnosed earlier this year but says he feels fine and insists he does not want to dwell on his condition.

However, he has decided to give up driving for safety reasons but still wants to explore Scotland with his canoe should his Loch Ness adventure go well.

He is hopeful the publicity could help raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, which affects 63,000 people in Scotland.

It is a progressive disease, which means that over time, more parts of the brain become affected.

Mr Forsyth said increasingly most people know someone who has the condition.

"I'm 77, fit in body and spirit but the glimmerings of Alzheimer's are on the horizon," said an upbeat Mr Forsyth.

John Forsyth - well aware of the dangers.

Weather permitting he will set sail from Foyers Pier on Thursday 27th May and also intends to canoe at night in moonlight.

Mr Forysth is looking forward to his Loch Ness Canoe Challenge although is well aware of the dangers, with the loch dropping to a maximum of 433-feet in depth. "It's going to be far more relaxing than coming to Inverness and walking down the main street and trying to cross the road," he said.

"My problems could be the weather, the wind or the sun. I could get heat or sun stroke and there is also my friend Nessie!"

The retired geography teacher, who used to work in the central belt and has a keen interest in nature and archaeology, is also looking forward to getting up closer to the wildlife around the loch.

"I will not be going out too far, about 30 metres from the shore. An advantage with the canoe is that I will be able to glide towards the wildlife like deer, otters and wild goats without disturbing them.

At night I will look for sheltered coves when I can get out of the canoe quickly and set up camp because I'm taking a lightweight tent."

To sponsor Mr Forsyth visit the website www.justgiving.com/John-Forsyth

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---