Emergency Nurse Practitioner Charlie McCarthy almost made it to the finishing line in a fundraiser to support the education of children and young people in Malawi, managing a personal total of £5,716.
Together with other team members the net result was £10,000.
Charlie had set himself the challenge of walking the West Highland Way in just three days. He’d already covered 69 miles in two days but on the stage from Bridge of Orchy to Rowardennan he developed plantar fasciitis which unfortunately brought his walking challenge to a halt.
He was raising cash for a charity which he set up nine years ago, which works with some of the top schools in Malawi to identify ‘the most academically-gifted pupils from the poorest families, so they may be able to continue at school and be supported through university if they wish to study healthcare or teaching.
Charlie explained: “We saw our first university graduates qualify last year with Mphatso graduating as a maths teacher (she will commence her role in education after the Covid-19 restrictions are relaxed) and Marvelous who has begun her career as a qualified physiotherapist.
“In November 2022, we will also see our first graduates from the country’s only medical school when Portiphar and Ketrina qualify as doctors.”
He added: “Walking the West Highland Way was nothing compared to what these young people have to go through just to stay alive and safe in Malawi, a beautiful yet heart-breaking small country that has such a strong and long history with Scotland.”
The £10,000 raised will pay for 8 girls to attend one of the top boarding schools in Malawi for 4 years.
