Epic Burwick to Birsay walk for mental health
Two pals are set to take on an epic 40-mile walk, this Saturday, in aid of a mental health charity.
Darren Tait and Darren Sutherland will make the marathon journey from Burwick to the Brough of Birsay on August 22 in aid of Mikeysline, a charity supporting folk in emotional distress throughout the Highlands and Islands and Moray.
They are keen to support the cause, which was founded in 2015 after two deaths by suicide rocked the Highlands and Islands pool community, of which both Darrens are part.
The pair were inspired to take part by Mr Tait’s own experiences with mental health.
“I’ve had my own struggles in recent years and bottled it all up,” he told The Orcadian in April, when he and Mr Sutherland first began training for the challenge.
“It’s only when I got through the other side and saw the light at the end of the tunnel that you realise how bad you felt.
“I want to try and encourage others to speak up.”
Setting off at 5am, the pair hope to make a good few pit stops along the way.
They have outlined the route they will be taking through Kirkwall on Saturday, so that folk can share their support.
They will be entering the town via Highland Park Distillery, heading along Holm Road, down past top of Clay Loan, down Palace Road, and through the street to the Harbour front.
They then head past the Ayre Hotel and the Peedie Sea and then up Muddisdale to join the Old Finstown Road on their journey westward.
“We don’t have scheduled stops as such but we aim to have a five or ten minute rest regularly,” said Mr Sutherland.
“We’d love some support from anyone and everyone of all ages along the way. Best we can do is take to social media and keep everyone up to date with ETA’s in various villages and Kirkwall, etc.
“We are looking to average around 3-3.5mph so that would put us in Kirkwall at around between 11am and midday-ish, but we’ll just update as we go.”
You can donate to the Daz and Daz Fundraiser for Mikeysline here and find out more about Mikeysline here.