AN INSPIRATIONAL Largs mum is walking 500 miles to raise charity cash in memory of her late son - and is getting ready to host a 30th birthday party in his honour.
Kim Macleod is embarking on the fundraiser to support Meningitis UK, which has been central to the family's efforts over the years since son Calum sadly died from the disease when he was just 13-years-old.
He would be 30 on December 8, and Kim, and husband Sinclair, 59, have decided to host a birthday party celebration to mark the occasion.
But in the meantime, Kim has got her walking boots on and has already walked 380 miles, raising nearly £1,500 for the charity. You can donate here.
Kim, 58, said: "I reckoned it was time to get my walking boots on.
"When I celebrated my birthday I realised that it was 102 days until Calum’s so I thought I could walk 500 miles by then.
"He loved the Proclaimers song 'I will walk 500 miles' - we included it in his celebration of life funeral.
"So with Calum’s 30th birthday approaching it seemed like a good way to raise some funds for Meningitis Now and friends and family have kept me company on my various walks."
Kim, who is deeply spiritual, believes Calum is with her 'every step of the way' as she gets closer to her target.
She was inspired to get walking by her neighbour Melanie Robson who we recently featured in the News for her own walking heroics for Ayrshire Hospice.
Kim said: "I love finding out about the history of places. and recently found out during one of my walks about the history of Ardrossan Castle and its connections to William Wallace and the Cromwells."
William Wallace's connections with Ardrossan Castle are recounted in the tale known as “Wallace’s Larder” which details his surprise attack on the castle during its occupation by English forces, and his ghost is said to roam its grounds.
Kim said: "I am not just pounding miles but taking in the journey and learning things along the way that I never knew.
"I have also been joined by friends and family over different legs of the journey. One of my friends was into something called geocaching - it is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a global positioning system receiver or mobile device to hide and seek containers, called geocaches or caches, at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world.
"We found one near the St Columba's Episcopal Church, and one near the bridge at Noddleburn. It can be a tin of something include a wee keepsake of something, and you can leave something in the tin to find too. It is a bit of a treasure hunt."
Calum's parents donated their son's organs after his death, which helped save the lives of two babies and three adults.
"The thing that is amazing is Calum is still making a difference today," said Kim, "and we want to keep his memory very much alive.
"It is always very sad when someone close to you dies.
"It is not the end of the relationship, the party is an opportunity to come together to talk about stories about why they loved him and maybe find out things about Calum that you never knew."
Calum's birthday party is taking place on Saturday, November 30 in St Columba's Church building at 7.30pm and tickets are available via eventbrite.
The furthest travelled for the event will be Sue's daughter and husband, Kirsten and Clement Harper, who making the journey up from London for the big occasion.
Kim added: "It is a gathering to celebrate Calum's life which we feel is important to do on a landmark birthday.
"We felt bringing people together and have some fun would be the best thing to do."
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