Inverness man will tackle Loch Ness Beast Race in tribute to his big brother – and will raise money for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland after shedding 12 stone in just over a year
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A BEAST of a race awaits a city man after he vowed to take it on for charity in memory of his brother – who died after a heart attack in February.
Don Johnstone (42) – known as Big Don – will take on the Loch Ness Beast Race on August 31 in honour of brother, Michael. He is braving the 10k obstacle challenge to raise vital funds for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland. He wants to help people and their families who are affected by heart conditions and keep himself fit and healthy.
Before his brother’s sudden death, Mr Johnstone had already started an epic weight loss journey, shedding an amazing 12 stone in just over a year.
In March 2017 he weighed in at 32 stone. He was working at Inverness Caledonian Thistle and could barely walk the length of the pitch. It was then that he decided something had to change.
He set himself a challenge to tame the Beast in 2018 after dropping to 20 stone, and completed the race in two hours and 20 minutes.
Then, when the family was left devastated by his brother’s heart attack in his sleep, he decided to do something in his memory while continuing to look after his own health.
‘Big Don’ said: “Michael was only 47 when it happened. It was such a shock. My parents lost a son, my siblings and I lost a brother and Michael’s wife and his kids lost the most important person in their lives.
“Michael had been in the army in his 20s and had kept himself fit and healthy. It left a lot of questions for me; how could this have happened? Why Michael, the man who looked after himself and not someone like me, who didn’t? We’re a big family, we were lucky to have each other and we all rallied together. We were given no warning about Michael but other people might get that time and I want to be able to help them get the support they need.”
Paul Corrigan, fundraising manager at Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, said: “It’s an amazing thing to do in Michael’s memory. Don’s weight loss journey will be an inspiration to many.”
To support Big Don visit https://beastlochness19.everydayhero.com/uk/big-don
