Inverness man's monster challenge raises vital funds for MS research
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A GRUELLING walk around Loch Ness by a 27-year-old man has raised £1079 to help people affected by multiple sclerosis.
Matt Cameron trekked 74 miles lugging a backpack weighted with 25kg in less than 36 hours to raise funds into research of the condition which affects the brain and nerves – and which his wife Kayleigh was diagnosed with four years ago.
The money will go to the charity MS Society Scotland.
Mr and Mrs Cameron live in the Raigmore area of Inverness with their two-year-old daughter, Elle.
“I met my wife in 2013 and in 2016 she was diagnosed with relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis,” Mr Cameron said.
“This mainly affects her arms. She struggles carrying things and holding her hands up to even wash her hair.
“She also explains her legs can feel heavy or like jelly if she walks slightly faster than normal.
“I chose to walk over 70 miles with weight on my back for the MS Society because I wanted to help donate towards funding for the charity to help with vital research in finding a cure for multiple sclerosis.
“I also wanted to feel fatigue and muscle soreness to simulate having multiple sclerosis.”
Having set off from Inverness Castle, it took him 15 hours and 29 minutes to reach Fort Augustus Ness where he rested for a few hours before making the return journey which took him 16 hours 27 minutes.
“I found the walk extremely challenging at times but had great support from two of my friends Sean Beats and Andy Ross who helped with my feet and walked the last stretch with me to keep my morale up,” Mr Cameron said.
“People I met along the way were amazing too and kept me going through it.”
The money was raised via donations, a raffle with prizes donated by local firms and the sale of children’s handbags knitted by Mrs Cameron’s grandmother, Helen McCall.
