Bo’ness resident goes 60 for 60 in non-traditional birthday celebration
A Bo’ness resident put down the presents and picked up the pace in a unique birthday celebration.
Rachel Macdonald celebrated her 60th birthday with a 60-mile long trek across the John Muir Way to raise money for Parkinson’s UK.
She dedicated the journey from Dunbar back to her hometown to her mother, Margaret, who has lived with Parkinson’s-related dementia for nearly ten years.
This was Rachael’s first-ever charity walk and the idea came to her after pondering how she wanted to celebrate.
Her mother’s capabilities have been reduced by Parkinson’s, and she is now unable to speak, move, or control her body. Rachael’s 88-year-old father tends to Margaret while herself and her two siblings provide support.
Rachael said: “Doing this walk felt like a fitting way to honour her battle and include her in my milestone year, even if she no longer has the capacity to fully comprehend it.”
The 60-mile challenge was split into six sections, and Rachael’s husband Stephen managed the planning and walked every mile beside her. Also joining in on the fundraiser were friends and family from different stages of Rachael’s life, walking alongside her to show their support.
Rachael said: “One of the best parts was having women from different times in my life travel to walk with me. It gave us time to catch up, talk, laugh, and celebrate my mother’s life and influence. We made wonderful new memories together.”
She crossed the finish line in Bo’ness on Saturday, August 1, and raised more than £8,000 for Parkinson’s UK to support research into better treatments and ultimately a cure.
Rachael said: “So many families are touched by this condition. It would be amazing if further strides could be made so future generations don’t have to face what my mum is facing, and this blight on lives can be knocked out of the park forever.”
Bruce Port, community fundraiser for Parkinson’s UK, said: “We are so grateful to Rachel for taking on this incredible 60-mile challenge and raising more than £8,000 for Parkinson’s UK. Her dedication to honouring her mother while turning a milestone birthday into a force for good is truly inspiring. Every penny raised helps us drive forward ground-breaking research and provide vital support so that no one has to face Parkinson’s alone.”