Double tragedy inspires couple to walk 23-miles a day around NC500 for charities
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A couple who lost two children within the space of a year will walk an average of 23 miles a day to complete the entire NC500 route in May, to raise money for charities close to their heart.
The Fife couple will walk and camp throughout the North Coast 500, starting from Inverness on May 2, heading up to John O’Groats and covering the west before arriving back in Inverness three weeks later.
Mother Louise Russell and stepdad David Christopher tragically lost their son Ciaran to suicide in December 2020 and their daughter Siobhan to septicaemia in October 2021, following an operation. Siobhan had previously been a victim of domestic abuse, which led to alcoholism.
David and Louise also plan to mark Mental Health Awareness Week by holding discussions with Highland locals during their work, including a visit to Change Mental Health’s service, The Gatehouse, in Golspie.
The couple started a mental health awareness group on Facebook shortly after their double tragedy to help people find support relevant to their needs. They call it S.H.A.D.E. – which stands for Suicide, Homelessness, Addiction, Domestic Abuse, Everyone.
But the duo feel this Facebook group isn’t enough – and by walking 516 miles and putting themselves through discomfort and exhaustion, they hope to raise awareness for five charities: Papyrus, Crisis UK, DrugFam, The Veterans Foundation and Change Mental Health.
David said: "We wanted to do something that's going to be challenging and a bit extreme to hopefully raise as much awareness as we can in their memory. We wanted to add to that by having the challenge of camping every night and carrying all of our gear.
“We realise we will be going through pain both physically and mentally, we will be exhausted and at times possibly lost but hopefully by doing this we will raise awareness of all mental health issues.”
The couple are currently accepting donations via their JustGiving page at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/david-louisenc500 where they have raised just short of £1500.
