Community / Yell fundraiser to walk to Edinburgh in memory of his son
A LOCAL man is going to walk from his home in Yell to Edinburgh children’s hospital to raise money in his late son’s honour.
Richard Hay will begin the 200-mile journey on 5 July to fundraise for brain tumour research charity Abbie’s Army and the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity.
He will follow the route that his son Aksel took in 2021 before he passed away.
Aksel lost his life to a brain stem tumour when he was just seven years old.
He was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) and later died at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh.
DIPG is an incurable cancerous brain stem tumour and almost exclusively effects children.
Richard said: “Both charities do hugely important and inspiring work.
“We’ll forever be in the debt of these amazing organisations that helped us and Aksel’s siblings during an impossible time.
“Please consider making a donation if you can – and any encouragement or assistance will be warmly welcomed if you pass me walking on the long road to Edinburgh in memory of Aksel.”
He will leave his house in Yell on 5 July, get the ferry and go onwards to Sumburgh to fly to Aberdeen on 7 July.
Richard plans to reach the hospital in Edinburgh on 14 July, the day Aksel would have turned nine years old.
With one week to go before the walk begins, they have already raised over £6,000 on JustGiving.
Richard’s journey can be followed on his Instagram.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
