A SATURDAY towards the end of April this year was a day of activities in Durness to remember, commemorating the passing of local man Marty Mackay.
Marty died on 16th April 2010, a day after his 43rd birthday, after a short but acute illness of renal cancer.
The community felt they wanted to acknowledge Marty’s life and decided to have a day of activities to raise money in his name, this being the second year it has been held.
Marty was well known in the area for all the diverse activities he participated in and people of all ages and from all over the north took part.
All the sponsorship money has now been gathered and the event raised a staggering £16,232.
A proportion of the money has been donated to the Marie Curie Cancer Care and a Trust has been established to ensure donations and funds raised make a significant difference to families in the Highlands.
On the day, 55 cyclists started from Lairg and cycled the 67 miles to Durness via Tongue, while 40 walkers left Kinlochbervie fire station to walk the 24 miles to Durness, with a further 25 joining on route at Rhiconich, walking 19 miles, or from the Guilin, walking 11 miles.
Some ran the route and some hill walked over the Southern Parph from Sandwood Bay, while two ladies climbed the most northerly Munro, Ben Hope.
The family say they are very grateful to everyone who made the event possible and especially thank Donald Morrison who led in the organisation of the event.
The date of next year’s "day" will be finalised later but is expected to be mid-April.
