Deafblind Grandad To Hike Across Scotland For Charity

Undeterred by the prospect of midges, ticks and the great Scottish weather Michael Anderson, 75 of Falkirk will be undertaking a mammoth self-supported hike across Scotland in aid of Deafblind Scotland.

Michael, a retired statistical technician at Edinburgh University who has been blind for 40 years and wears two hearing aids hopes that with the support of his friends, family and local community he will raise an incredible £15,000 for Deafblind Scotland’s Field Of Dreams.

Michael said, “As the charity is very close to my heart I am delighted to be doing this challenge, which we have called the Michael’s Way Hike in aid of Deafblind Scotland.  This is one of the toughest, yet most exhilarating challenges of my life. Knowing the money I raise will be used to improve the lives of deafblind people throughout Scotland is the best part of all.

“Becoming a member of Deafblind Scotland opened my world and provided me with support and opportunities which had not existed previously.  The Field of Dreams is a crucial project to increase Deafblind Scotland’s reach so other people affected by this loneliest of conditions can benefit in the same way I have.”

The Michael’s Way Hike will see Michael and his team of volunteer guides walk over 330km/200 miles from Iona to St Andrews over 16 days from 6 – 21 May 2016.

The hike will involve 11 nights camping in the wild and over 6000m of ascent.

Ruth Dorman, Chief Executive of Deafblind Scotland said, “I have known Michael for 5 years now and he never ceases to amaze me and folks around us. As a younger man becoming Deafblind Michael grasped the need to capture support and learn skills and strategies to live fully his life with deafblindness.

He now sets a bar and a shining example to Deafblind people that with the right people around you, the right frame of mind and stamina you can continue to achieve in your life. Deafblindness although eventually locking you in does not need to lock you out of living.

Deafblind Scotland are fortunate to have members like Michael who by accomplishing such challenging feats bring deafblindness into people’s lives.”

To support Michael’s challenge, please visit www.justgiving.com/michaelsway and click ‘sponsor a friend’.