A retired postie is on the right track with his charity fundraiser.
Alan Mclellan from Dalbeattie is planning to walk the route of the old Port Road railway line from Dumfries to Portpatrick.
The 67-year-old was recently diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, which he will have to deal with for the rest of his life, and is aiming to raise money and awareness for Cancer Research UK.
Alan said: “I was diagnosed about three months ago. I had lost weight and my wife Pamela told me to go to the doctor.
“After the tests and scans, they told me I had advanced prostate cancer. I said ‘thank you’ – I didn’t really take it in.
“I used to run and cycle a lot and have had to change my lifestyle. I wanted to do something useful and raise awareness.
“I have walked and filmed parts of the Port Road before. To the viaduct at Goldilea is lovely, it is all tarmacked, but up over the hills there are probably parts I’ll need a machete to clear!
“I believe it’s around 70 miles but I’m trying not to think about that!”
There is the possibility of Alan having to undergo radiotherapy treatment in the next few months so he is aiming to begin his walk on October 22.
Alan is not handling the sponsorship side himself but Cancer Research UK are aware of his challenge and donations can be made at any of their shops or at https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/
