Linlithgow friends get their trainers on to remember Cara

Cara McDonald passed away in May, aged 27 , after suffering from degenerative condition Muscular Dystrophy, leading three of her friends to take on the charity challenge for Muscular Dystrophy UK to help find a cure. Hayley Callachan, Kirsteen Oliver and Katy Gorman were friends with Cara from the age of five.

Hayley (28) said: “We all went to Springfield Primary School and Linlithgow Academy together. So we have all known each other since P1 and were in the same class.

“In P2/3 Cara was diagnosed with the condition. She was always sure that a cure would be found in her lifetime

“So when she passed away last month we immediately decided to so something in her memory. We were heartbroken. Obviously we couldn’t attend her funeral so we wanted to do something to raise awareness of the condition and money for the charity.

“We have so far raised more than £4,000, which is great. But we think it would be amazing to raise £5,000.”

Remembering her friend, Hayley added: “Everyone who knew Cara would agree that nothing life threw at her ever held her back.

“During her school life, she became Scottish Champion at Boccia, and then went on to work hard and gain her university degree in Biomedical Science. She didn’t stop there and continued her studies and achieved her Masters degree in Public Health.

“Cara was a loyal friend and her great sense of humour, kindness and love of life will always be remembered.”

Hayley, who works for a finance company in Edinburgh, spoke about how the friends took on the charity challenge individually.

She said: “I’m currently on furlough, so it has been good to have this to focus on. Katy lives in London now so she’s been doing it down there. I met Kirsteen once a couple of weeks ago, while remaining socially distant. But other than that we have been doing it individually.

“We had expected to cover 450km between us but it was probably closer to 600km in the end. My legs are sore now but we enjoyed doing it.”

To donate, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cara-mcdonald3.